Barstow resident and professional basketball player Christain Taylor emphasizes the importance of giving back to his community through mentorship, basketball camps, discipline and hard work. In early August 2026, Taylor hosted a basketball camp aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow with the goal of instilling those qualities in military children and members of the community.
Taylor describes the drive that led to his passion for the sport; he began playing basketball as a five-year-old and took the game seriously by ten. After facing adversity and the loss of his father, Taylor dropped every other sport and devoted all his efforts to the one that he loved, basketball. Taylor is adamant that he did not become great overnight. His success has required countless sacrifices, from endurance training while watching his favorite shows with his brother, to overcoming injuries in college. He also had to find ways to support himself while dealing with moments of grief.
“I chose to not sulk in that and I got two jobs to have enough money to be able to buy myself a car, plane tickets, and drive myself to these combines that I also had to pay for by myself to put myself in the position to get what I felt I deserve,” Taylor said.
During the summer of 2025, he attended countless showcases, where he made his mark and was scouted to play professionally in the Albanian Super League. That summer marked the beginning of his professional basketball career. Taylor’s desire to make an impact on his community is an effort that is very important for him due to the challenges he has faced through the journey. His goal is to be a role model to the children of his community because he knows how tough it has been to achieve successes without a clear-cut role model.
“I am still an athlete and just beginning my professional career. I thought to myself, who better than me, seeing what I was missing as a young athlete myself, to mentor these children? I am also a current basketball player. So, I literally practice what I preach by putting in the work, day in and day out,” Taylor said. “I practice what it is like to be determined and resilient not only on the court, but in the gym, on the track, in the weight room, or even at the pool. The things I would tell kids to be successful; I still do day in and day out to get to where I am.”
Taylor’s advice to someone chasing their dreams, whether in sports, the military, or any career is to start with discipline, hard work, and resiliency. He says that obtaining these personal qualities will give individuals the upper hand. Failing is a part of life, but picking yourself back up, numerous times, will be the determining element of a successful individual.
“Once you have discipline, hard work, and resiliency, you have already won half the battle,” Taylor said. “It won’t be easy. If it was easy, then everybody would do it. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be so special to achieve the goal that you’re chasing. The failures and obstacles make the goal worth going after. If you can stay disciplined, work hard, be resilient through the ups and downs, twists and turns, you will enjoy the journey of reaching your goal.”
Taylor sees a connection between success in basketball and success in military life. Both require discipline, hard work and an understanding of one's role within a team. Team efforts like basketball teams or Marines working on a collective mission, have roles. Taylor explains that some roles may seem better or worse, but despite their appearance, every team player is responsible for a role. Every Marine, civilian, and supporter being active in their designated roles allows for a stronger team.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link. You’re only as focused and disciplined as the head of the snake; every winning team I’ve been on and every losing team I’ve been on had similarities that would identify the team’s qualifications,” Taylor explained. “The losing team has identity problems which leads to people not accepting their role, while every winning team has players who took their position and their responsibilities seriously to achieve the winning season.”
Taylor has completed one year in the Albanian league, averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists per game. He hopes to build on that success as his professional career continues. Despite his increasingly busy schedule overseas, Taylor wants to continue hosting basketball camps whenever his schedule allows. For Taylor, basketball is more than a career, it is an opportunity to give back and help the next generation avoid some of the obstacles he has faced.
| Date Taken: |
08.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.03.2026 10:14 |
| Story ID: |
573879 |
| Location: |
BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: |
BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: |
23 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Basketball Camp with Christain Taylor aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, August 1., by Katherine Cortez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
