Former Shawnee Mission NW hoops standout Ethan Taylor to visit KU campus Tuesday
Former Shawnee Mission Northwest center Ethan Taylor, who will play basketball at Link Academy during the 2025-26 school year — his senior year of high school — will make an unofficial recruiting visit to Kansas on Tuesday, The Star has confirmed.
The 7-foot-1, 245-pound Taylor is ranked No. 22 in the recruiting class of 2026 by 247sports.com, No. 28 by Rivals.com and No. 75 by ESPN.com.
He is being recruited by KU, Missouri, Colorado, Oregon, Florida State, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Oklahoma, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, Purdue, Tennessee and Creighton, as well as other programs.
Taylor has been on KU’s campus before. He attended the Jayhawks’ 78-65 victory over Houston on Feb. 3, 2024 at Allen Fieldhouse. He also attended KU’s 78-73 home loss to Texas Tech on March 1, 2025.
Taylor has also made recruiting visits to Missouri and Oklahoma.
“Conversations have been good with them (KU),” Taylor told Rivals.com. “I’ve been talking with them for a while, and the coaches have done a really good job of keeping in touch lately.
“They give me pointers after games, and we’re just building our relationship. I grew up watching Kansas. We’re a huge KU family. I’ve been watching them since I was a kid.”
Taylor, who helped SM Northwest win the past two Kansas high school Class 6A state championships, plays AAU basketball for Mokan Elite. So far, in 11 games on the EYBL circuit, he’s averaged 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He’s made 41 of 56 shots for a circuit leading 73.2%.
His SM Northwest teams, led by coach David Birch, went 22-3 in his junior year and 25-0 during his sophomore campaign. Taylor’s new school, Link Academy, is located in Branson, Missouri.
“I’m still not where I want to be on either side of the ball,” he told Zagsblog.com. “I’m working more on my post-up game, my shot, my physicality, my motor.
“I’m looking forward to just getting better over the summer because you can always get better. I think we (Mokan) could be a really great defensive team, so just staying hard-nose playing good defense, being physical, playing together.”
Of KU, he told Zagsblog.com: “I loved the atmosphere of the stadium. It was so loud. I like the history of developing players and the history with bigs. And it’s closer to home.”
Of Mizzou, Taylor said: “I like how much of a family — they make it a family-oriented atmosphere. I like how close everybody is, how they develop their bigs.”
Marketathletes.com wrote of Taylor: “Taylor’s shot-blocking prowess and defensive acumen make him a force to be reckoned with in the paint — deterring opponents with his intimidating presence and rim protection. His ability to alter shots and control the boards showcases his obvious defensive dominance and impact on the game. His dunks are strong, powerful, and thunderous. His blocks sends balls flying into the stands. He dominates the paint.”
