By Robert Elkin
Xaverian High School has produced two basketball players who went on to the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association in brothers Chris and Terrance Mullin. Chris is an Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. His younger brother is a scout. Chris completed almost 13 years playing for Golden State. The Bay Ridge based school recently helped in the development of another player-Chris Taft, who turned in a stunning career in the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association, and after two years at the University of Pittsburgh, felt he was ready for the NBA. The coaching staff, headed by Mike Montgomery, felt that Taft was ready to make the jump, although some basketball experts felt that he should have remained in college for at least another year. The 6’10” Taft, known for his shot blocking and rebounding, became the Warriors’ third pick in the two round NBA draft or the 42nd selection overall. “It was a coincidence going to the same team where the Mullins are,” he said. “Actually I didn’t know where I was going (at the time). I like it here (at Golden State). It’s been good. Being in the same organization with the Mullins is like being again in high school to some extent.” Taft certainly wants to prove that he is ready for the ‘jump.’ “I felt that I was ready for the NBA,” he recently said. “That’s in the past.” At the start of his sophomore year at Pitt, he was highly rated, but for whatever reason he got moved down in the draft. “I didn’t understand why that happened,” Montgomery said. “We didn’t see anything negative (at the time) about Chris. He’s been real positive. He’s a great kid and is learning what it takes to play in the league.” However, the resident of Coney Island met up with a ‘block’ during the off season, thus slowing down his adjustment period to the next level. “My back has been bothering me ever since summer time,” the forward said. “It happened during a game in a summer league.” “Going for a rebound, he came down wrong, nothing major,” Montgomery added. The rookie, slowly getting the taste of the NBA, has come off the bench during the first 11 games, got into the first 14 of 16 contests, and contributed to a team that played about .500 ball. After the team’s 16th game, Montgomery put him on the inactive list. “When I was healthy, I got into some games,” the 20-year-old Taft went on before a recent contest against the host New Jersey Nets. “Now there’s no time table for his return,” said a spokesman from the Warriors. “He is continuing his treatment. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready.” His adjustment from the college to the pro game was a lot mentally, and a little physically. “The tempo of the game is so much better and there is more competition in the pro game (than on the college level),” he said.” By sitting on the bench, watching, and trying to get healthy, Taft feels that he is learning more about the pro game at the same time. When asked what impressed you about the NBA, Taft added “everyone wants to win badly. The NBA has so many good players and they are quicker than on the college level. “Before coming here I expected to see great super stars playing every night (in every game), and that’s what I’ve seen. If you don’t think that you’ve got that chance, then what are you playing for?” Chris’ days here in Brooklyn have been tremendous. He ended his career as the 2003 New York State Player-of-the-Year. Coach Jack Alesi and his staff prepared him well for both college and the NBA. Xaverian helped him a great deal. In fact, he went back to Xaverian during the summer. “Being in Brooklyn helped me grow up quick and be more of a man,” he said. While at Pitt he competed against very good players. There are a lot of Big East players now in the NBA. Taft is excited about playing with the Golden State Warriors. “He needs to get stronger and more experienced,” Montgomery said. “He’s learning what it takes to play in the league. We’re excited about him. He can defend and rebound. If he works hard, pays attention, and watches what guys do, he’ll develop into a nice player. But I don’t know when he’ll be ready because of his back.”
