Chris Taft

10/15/01: "Chris Taft, a 6-9, 210-pound forward/center from Xaverian High School in New York, plays for the Brooklyn Bridge AAU program. Chris averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds for Xaverian this past season. Chris lists Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Arizona, Syracuse, Connecticut, and CINCINNATI on his early list. "I'll start looking at colleges next year or after the season is over," Taft said. Chris currently carries a 76 average, but is confident that he will raise that. He has not taken the SAT yet, but will take the PSAT on Tuesday. One of the rising stars among post players in the class of 2003, Taft brings a sturdy frame and a budding offensive repertoire to Xaverian's front court. Taft made his presence known defensively when Rivals Hoops saw him, and displayed considerable skill in the post offensively, finishing with both hands. Chris is one of the more talented rising juniors in the country." - Rivals Hoops

9/01: played on the Brooklyn Bridge AAU Team, with Sebastian Telfair.

8/17: Listed as the 37th best player in his class. - School Sports

8/13: Listed as the 21st best player in his class. - PrepStars

7/12: Taft scored just 4 points in the underclassmen all star game at the abcd camp. He was a teammate of LeBron.

7/12: Listed as the 33rd best player in abcd camp. - HoopScoop

7/12: "Chris Taft has had enough of New York. "I don't like it here," said the 6-foot-9 1/2 Taft, who will be a junior at Xaverian. "I'd rather be down south somewhere." That's likely where he will wind up after high school. Two months ago, Taft's mother moved down to Savannah, Ga., and he now lives with his grandmother in Brooklyn. The only reason he stayed here was because of Xaverian. "I know it's a good school and so does my mother," Taft said at the adidas ABCD Camp at Fairleigh Dickinson in Hackensack. "But after I finish there, I'm definitely going somewhere else." He likely will have his pick of where he wants to go. Taft, who is 16, has grown nearly two inches since the basketball season and was one of the top players in the CHSAA as a sophomore. And he understands that this camp can further his hopes. "I was nervous at first, especially when I saw all the coaches here," said Taft. "They inspire me, but once you get there, for some reason, you don't even think about them." Rest assured, they are thinking about Taft. He already has three schools that he is interested in: North Carolina, Duke and Cincinnati. How do the Bearcats sneak in with UNC and Duke? "I always liked their uniforms," said Taft." - NY Post

7/11: Listed as the 9th best player in his class, at the abcd camp. (first, was LeBron) - PrepStars

7/11: "For someone his age and without much work in the weightroom, Taft is very strong. He has a sturdy frame that enables him to punish defenders in the lane and finish inside even after taking some contact. His hands are good and his footwork advanced for his age. He especially likes to spin inside after catching the ball on the low block. Not a skywalker, but Chris' athleticism also is a plus." - PrepStars

7/10: "This kid played with intensity. He also played with skill. Taft is going to be on everyone’s hit list and soon. He had some sweeping moves to the hoop that were just awesome for a kid his size. The finishes were definitive and extremely strong." - Blue Chip Hoops

6/19/01: "Taft isn't a dominant force yet, but he did clearly (get)established as the #1 sophomore in New York City." - HoopScoop

5/21/00: "At the top of the list is 6'8 Frosh Chris Taft from Brooklyn (Xaverian) NY, who was a defensive force and shot blocker in the 9th grade game, but more of a scorer (14 points) when playing up in the 10th grade game. Taft needs to physically get a lot stronger, but he does get after it inside and, as a result, dominates at his age level. Taft's father is 6'11, so he'll probably be a 7-footer before he's through growing, but what makes him a can't miss future superstar are his terrific agility and mobility, which is rare for somebody so big and so young." - HoopScoop

6/12/99 John P. Miciotta: 'Since the Philadelphia contingent was late due to traffic, the festivities kicked off with a game featuring some of Brooklyn's top grammar school talent. They shared the spotlight with 6'2" (?) Chris Taft, a rangy and quick forward who was everywhere in pressure defense and whose quickness and hustle combined with McNeil's point guard play lead the way for their white clad team.' - three notes from NYCNJ Hoops