University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Profile: Taylor Griffin
March 02, 2008 | Men's Basketball
|
|||||
Long before the Griffin brothers were ever recruited to play basketball at Oklahoma, Taylor dominated his little brother in battles on the driveway, around the house and wherever else they could get their hands on a ball.
Taylor was the all-everything star who led his high school team to back-to-back state championships.
And Taylor will always be the big brother whom his little brother Blake looks to for guidance.
Reunited on the basketball court when the younger brother decided to attend OU, this has been a special season for the Griffin brothers not only because of the opportunity to play together once again, but also because of their roles in helping to revive the program.
We recently sat down with Taylor to discuss what this season has been like for him, as well as to reflect on some memories of playing basketball with his brother prior to college.
On what it's been like this year playing with his brother again:
"It's been a special experience. It's obviously not one that a lot of college athletes get to experience. We had a lot of fun playing together in high school, and to be able to continue that here at the University of Oklahoma on an even bigger stage has been incredible. Just that time we get to spend together, whether it's on the court or just hanging out, it's been great."
 "No matter how big he is or how strong he gets, he'll always be my little brother, he'll always know that"... |
"Probably my later years in high school when we both knew we were going to get a chance to play college basketball at a high level. It just came to a point where we sat down as a family one night during his senior year and I just told him how much I would enjoy playing with him here. I told him how much I believed in the program, in what Coach Capel was doing here and the benefits of being able to play in front of your home state. He'd already developed a pretty good relationship with Coach Capel so I don't think it was very hard convincing him of that. Once he knew that I wanted to play with him, then I think the decision was pretty easy to make."
On his greatest memory of playing with his brother prior to coming to college:
"Probably winning the two state championships together. Outside of all the battles in the driveway and just growing up playing sports together, it was getting to play together in high school, especially my senior season because that's when he was playing a lot and really starting to develop into the player he is right now. Our state championship that year was a lot of fun."
On the first time he can remember playing basketball together:
"Probably when he was three and I was five... We had goals set up everywhere. My dad set up a smaller goal in the driveway and we had goals everywhere around the house. We even had those little trash can goals. I can't really tell you when that first started or where it started, but really as long as I can remember."
On who had the upper hand in the rivalry early on:
"Being older, bigger and stronger I was always on the winning side. There were a couple times when he'd beat me and it was a big deal. Most of the time growing up I was the one who came out on top in those battles. But he's gotten to the point where he is now, so maybe it was good for him."
On him being the reason Blake is the player he is today:
"I wouldn't say I'm the main reason. I'd like to think I'm part of the reason, along with my dad's insight and his coaching. and everything my mom has done to support us and bring us up. Also, it's his work ethic, with all the time, energy and effort he's put into it. It's a combination of things, but yeah I'd like to say part of it was growing up with me and us battling all the time."
On whether he makes sure Blake still knows he's the 'little' brother:
"Oh yeah. No matter how big he is or how strong he gets, he'll always be my little brother, he'll always know that and I'm going to make sure he always knows that."
On what he is most proud of during his time here at OU:
"When Coach Sampson left and Coach Capel got here, a lot of people didn't have many expectations for us as a team. We didn't make it to the Tournament, but as a team I think we showed some tenacity and resolve. I'm a captain this year and I take pride in that, and hopefully by the time I graduate this program will be back to where it was in the days of the 1988 and 2002 Final Four teams."
On what kind of stamp he wants to leave on the program before he leaves:
"I just want to be one of the guys who helped OU get back to being a consistently good team year-in and year-out. I want to be one of those guys that people look back and say, 'The team with Taylor Griffin, Austin Johnson, etc., was where things started to turn around and where OU got back to where we're used to being.'"
NBA Draft: Jeremiah Fears R1, P7 – Pelicans
Thursday, June 26
Make Your Case: Kobe vs Steph
Monday, June 02
MBB: It's Time to Dance
Friday, March 21
Porter Moser Selection Sunday
Sunday, March 16
