Posted on 28 April, 2010
Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras Captain DJ Taylor will become just the second player in the history of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) to play 400 games when his team takes on Sandringham on Saturday 1 May 2010 at the Kilsyth Sports Centre.
DJ began his illustrious career back in 1995 when the League was called the CBA. He played just one single game in 1995 but trained throughout the entire Season, learning all he could under veterans’ including Tim Corr and Paul Widdis.
The Cobras appointed Rob Morgan as the new Head Coach in 1996 with DJ becoming a regular on the team. His playing time increased over the next few years and in 1999 he averaged 10 points per game under Head Coach Mark Landells.
Under the guidance of Landells and playing alongside future 200 game players Paul Burgess, Stuart Gemmell, Adam Jackson, Nick Tenner, Cameron Burns and Michael Wheeler as well as NBL star Damon Lowery and the future Australian Boomer Luke Kendall, DJ Taylor was part of the Club’s second SEABL Championship.
A career highlight for DJ, he remembers 1999 well, ‘the 1999 Conference Championship would have to be my biggest highlight, not only winning the Championship but I played with some great guys who went onto play with the Club for many more years.”
“Mick Wheeler and Nick Tenner are two team mates who I played with the most and have enjoyed great times on and off the court with. Daryl Cooper was our Team Manager for 13 years and played a major role in the success of the team, Coop and I have shared some fantastic memories over the years.”
Throughout his 399 games for Kilsyth, DJ has amassed the majority of Club records. He is currently the Clubs All-Time leader in each of the following categories – games played, total rebounds, total offensive rebounds and total defensive rebounds. He is second all time in points, assists and steals and third in block shots. Many opponents will not be surprised that he also leads the Club in total fouls!
DJ is honoured to be preparing to play his 400th SEABL game, knowing he is joining the exclusive 400 Club. “It is huge honour, I never thought I would get to 400 games, as a junior all I wanted to do was make the SEABL squad, it is hard to believe that it was back in 1995 when it all started and now I am playing in my 400th game!”
Having played in the League throughout three different decades the League has change in many more ways than just the name and DJ has been a witness to these changes, “The League has changed into a very professional League, with the D League in place now; you have a pathway as a junior to work up to the senior team. Players get good coaching, individual training and the best resources available. With the sponsorship and marketing of the League, you can see a strong future and growth for a great competition.”
Despite still being relatively young at just 32, DJ does not thinking he will reach 500 games, “with the strength of our program I would only be taking a spot that could be filled by one of our juniors,” he concluded.
DJ will play his 400th SEABL Game this Saturday 1 May 2010 at the Kilsyth Sports Centre against the Sandringham Sabres tip off is at 8.15pm. The Cobras families are encouraged to get down and support DJ as he achieves this outstanding milestone.
