Kam Taylor’s path to Florida State did not begin with years of recruiting attention, national rankings, or a childhood spent on the AAU circuit. In fact, the Seminoles’ 6-foot-7 junior guard did not begin playing high school basketball until his sophomore year, when he was still on the junior varsity team.
Taylor detailed that unconventional journey in Florida State basketball’s latest “Get to Know” video, opening up about his late introduction to the sport, the criticism that motivated him, and the confidence he gradually developed along the way.
Get to Know: Kam Taylor#NoleFamily 🍢 pic.twitter.com/NYXLsAzye3
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) October 21, 2026
“I played one year of AAU,” Taylor said. “So it was a little bit late for me to get the whole recruiting process and all that.”
His trajectory changed before his senior season. Taylor joined Team United on the Nike EYBL circuit and later transferred to Carmel Christian School, giving him significantly more exposure. Still, he said one of his biggest early obstacles was simply learning how to process the game.
Taylor acknowledged that his basketball IQ was part of the reason he did not make varsity as a sophomore. Learning plays, understanding multiple positions, and retaining information became essential pieces of his rapid development.
That growth eventually took Taylor to UNC Asheville, where he blossomed into a first-team All-Big South selection as a sophomore. He averaged 18.9 points per game, led the Bulldogs with 97 assists and added 161 rebounds before transferring to Florida State this offseason.
The motivation behind that rise, however, traces back even further.
Taylor recalled being told by a coach when he was younger that he was not good enough to play Division III basketball. He said the comment stayed with him and became a driving force behind the work he put in both on and off the court.
His family also played a major role, providing encouragement while still being honest with him throughout his development.
That combination of confidence and improvement has followed Taylor to Tallahassee. Head coach Luke Loucks has described him as an elite athlete who is “still just scratching the surface of his potential,” praising his ability to create for himself and others.
Taylor has already offered an early glimpse of that upside. He led Florida State with 19 points and four steals in the Seminoles’ 82-71 exhibition victory over Auburn, immediately establishing himself as one of the most intriguing additions to Loucks’ second roster.
For a player who once struggled to make varsity, reaching Florida State represents another major step in a rapid basketball climb. Now Taylor is looking forward to experiencing the Tucker Center from the other side.
“When you have a packed-out arena and fans supporting you and cheering for you all the time, that’s what you want to play for,” Taylor said. “Go Noles.”
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU newcomer opens up about unlikely path to Tallahassee