RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Basketball team and Head Coach
Heather Vulin have announced the signing of guard Autumn Taylor this afternoon.
"We are incredibly excited to have a proven player and competitor like Autumn join our program." Described Vulin. "She was an impact player at Clarion and led them to the Division 2 National Tournament the first time in years. We are excited to have a veteran player with her dynamic skill set, commitment to doing things the right way, and competes on both ends of the floor for the next 2 years!"
Taylor, a 5-7 guard from Twinsburg, Ohio, spent her first two collegiate seasons with Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion on the Division II circuit. She played in a combined 49 games for the Golden Eagles and registered 47 starts.
She led the Golden Eagles squad in scoring and assists during her freshman year, averaging 11.3 points per game at a 31.6 percent clip from the floor and 32.4 minutes per game.
Taylor engineered a pristine sophomore campaign by posting 15.7 points per game, eventually earning her recognition as an All-PSAC West Second Team honoree. Additionally, her per-game scoring clip was good for a three-way tie in the Western division of the PSAC.
From her freshman to sophomore year, Taylor's shooting percentage increased nearly seven percentage points higher than the season prior while nearly doubling her overall point total from 226 to 455.
Prior to arriving at Clarion, she attended the Laurel School from her freshman through junior years before concluding her high school tenure at the Spire Institute and Academy for her senior year.
During freshman year, Taylor set the Laurel School record with six three-pointers in a single game. During sophomore year, she helped her team to a state semifinal appearance while resetting the single-game three-pointer record with seven in a single game.
Her play continued to improve as her career went on, and she was recognized as a three-time all-state honorable mention and all-district honoree. As a senior, Taylor led her squad, averaging 16 points per game. Finally, she was voted team captain twice.
Academically, Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society, a Black Student Union member, and a Student Ambassador for International Students. Finally, Taylor was a Keynote Speaker at Spire Institute's graduate ceremony.
Taylor will be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Sports Broadcasting upon arriving to Riverdale.
