By Jacques Lee |Staff Writer|

Hard work and the desire to win can be easily seen on the basketball court by Taylor Statham, but behind the face of the fierce warrior is a humble young man.

Statham, a 22-year-old Los Angeles, California native is in his senior year and captain of the 2014-2015 men’s basketball team.

After graduating Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, Statham attended Cal Baptist University on a full basketball scholarship.

After a year of playing with the Lancers, Statham transferred to CSUSB feeling it would offer him an opportunity to play more minutes per game.

When asked about the transition from the Lancers to the Coyotes, Statham said, “It was easy. It was a lot different though. Cal Baptist has like a lot more rules and here they are more relaxed about stuff so it was pretty easy.”

Statham reminisced about how he grew up with basketball because both his parents played collegiate basketball on a scholarship, so at a young age Statham knew he wanted to continue on the tradition and play.

“I was deciding between that and football, and once I hit high school my football coach said you have to choose, and at the time I just loved basketball more,” said Statham.

His role models are his parents.

“If anyone had taught me about life, about being strong, and just everything would have to be my parents,” said Statham.

Before each game, Statham tries to relax and stay as calm as possible without any outside distractions.

“Once we’re in the lay-up lines and I see all of my friends in the crowd, I start feeling the music and started getting too hyped,” said Statham, speaking of how he gets pumped for game day.

Statham also expressed some of his feelings on this year’s basketball season.

“I think it’s just uphill from here. I feel we got off to a slow start. I feel like our team just keeps getting better because now everyone is starting to buy into it, and everyone is starting to figure out their role, figuring out coach, and working hard as a team,” said Statham.

Statham is a business major and on the verge of graduation. After he graduates, Statham has plans to pursue his basketball career overseas.

“Once I graduate, I’m planning on going overseas to play professional basketball. Yeah, I already have a few offers to countries like the Philippines and then I’m talking to a few scouts in Spain,” said Statham.

On his down time, Statham enjoys hanging out with his brother and close friends while watching his favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

If you catch him around campus, you will probably see him in Kobe shoes with a Gatorade and basketball in his hand.