New Year's Resolutions: Tayler Persons, ZZ Leiden

LEIDEN (Netherlands) - Tayler Persons has been a do-it-all star for ZZ Leiden having made the fast transition into professional basketball.

The rookie out of Ball State University is among the competition's leading scorers with 20.3 points per game after leading his side into the Second Round.

Persons has been a regular in the Team of the Week lineup, also averaging 7.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 10 appearances so far having started the campaign in the Qualifiers. 

We asked Tayler to reflect on the past year and share his ambitions for 2020.

What was your top moment from 2019 - firstly on the court, and then off the court also?

My top moment for 2019 on the court, I would have to say, was my first professional game this season for Leiden. It has always been my dream to be a professional athlete, and when I played the first regular season game it was very special to me. My top moment off the court would have to be graduating from college. I didn't get to walk across the stage because I was asked to compete in the USA 3x3 Nationals. When I received my diploma in the mail it made me very happy that I could say I am a college graduate.

If you could change one thing that happened, what would it be?

To be honest, I don't think I would change anything. Any situation - good or bad, I believe God put into my life to teach me something and I wouldn’t want to change anything.

How do you plan to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Are there any traditions over the festive period you have or do you mix it up?

My plans for New Year's Eve, and New Year's days are still being figured out. My girlfriend is coming here for the first time so I am very excited to see her and show her Leiden and the Netherlands. I probably will try and cook her a meal because I'm the best cook in the relationship (laughs), and go to the city and find something to do.

I don't really have too many traditions that I have. The ones that I do have I can't really make happen this year, which includes staying wherever my little sister is on Christmas Eve. I made this tradition when we were younger to let her know I would always be here for her. So that sucks I can't be there for her and my family but they understand.

Will you be making any New Year’s Resolutions for 2020? And what do you hope to have achieved when you look back in 12 months time?

I haven't really thought of any New Year's resolutions, but if I had to make one I guess that it would be to eat more healthy in 2020 - I know how important diet is in life and especially for playing a sport at a high level. I feel like I do pretty good, but it is something that I can still improve on.

When I look back in 12 months time, I hope I have achieved a lot of things for myself. Personally, I hope I can look back and say that I am a better basketball player than I have ever been up to that point, in every aspect of my game. I honestly just hope that I can get a little bit better each day, and if I do that consistently for 12 months, I will be in a good place.

FIBA