Dara Taylor Class: Sophomore Hometown: Wilmington, Del. High School: Caravel Academy Height: 5-7 Position: G Experience: 1V

Frese on Taylor: "Dara really took our challenge to be the fittest team in America to heart. She spent the off season working on both the physical and mental aspects of the game. In her second season, we're really looking for Dara to be our leader on the floor, now that she fully understands just what it takes to be a great point guard in the ACC."

As a Freshman (2009-10): Became Maryland's all-time freshman class assist leader with 171 ... dished out more than six assists in 15 of 27 starts ... posted nine points, five assists and career-high six steals in collegiate debut against North Carolina Central (Nov. 14) ...scored 10 points with five assists in win against New Hampshire (Nov. 16)...earned first career start at Mississippi State (Nov. 22)... added 11 points in the win over Samford while also dishing seven assists (Nov. 24)... notched first career double-double at No. 19/21 Virginia with 10 points and career-high 11 assists and added three steals and four rebounds (Jan. 11)... made 7-of-10 free throws to help seal the Terps' win over Wake Forest (Feb. 11) ... earned career-high 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting against Clemson (Feb. 14) ... contributed 10 points in ACC Tournament debut against No. 9-seeded North Carolina (March 4) ... grabbed career-high eight rebounds in WNIT Second Round game vs. East Carolina (March 21).

Before Maryland: One of the top point-guard recruits in the nation ... was a McDonald's All-American and the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Delaware as a senior ... named all-state in junior and senior seasons ... led Buccaneers to state quarterfinals in final high school season ... attended point guard college during the off-season ... also lettered in track in 2008, finishing first in her league and fourth in the state in the pole vault ... excellent student.

Personal: Dara Taylor ... daughter of Ron and Jo Taylor ... has one brother, Ron ... biggest sports thrill is playing in the McDonald's All-American Game ... favorite athlete is Magic Johnson ... patterned game after Jason Kidd while growing up ... enjoys listening to music and shopping ... chose Maryland for the family environment ... also recruited by Penn State, Florida, Notre Dame and Delaware ... majoring in business with career plans to work in professional sports.

TAYLOR'S CAREER STATISTICS

TAYLOR'S CAREER HIGHS

MISCELLANEOUS STATS

One-on-One with Dara Taylor
Q: Why did you choose Maryland?
A: I chose Maryland because overall it was just a perfect fit. The campus is beautiful, the academics are great and I really like the team and coaching staff. Coach B really made me feel like Maryland could be my "home" away from home so I feel really comfortable heading there.

Q: What does it mean to you to now be a Terp?
A: I'm entering into a great program and it's an honor. I'm looking forward to playing in front of thousands of cheering fans in a sold-out Comcast Center. It also means I'm joining a new family where everybody is supportive of one another and really close, and I'm looking forward to that.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on you in terms of basketball?
A: A lot of people have really contributed to shaping my game, including camps and coaches, but I'd have to say my parents the most. They might not have taught me all the skills I have today, but they've put me in situations to learn and get better and they've always supported, encouraged, and pushed me to be the best I can be. I try to pattern my game after Steve Nash and Chris Paul though.

Q: What has been your biggest sports thrill?
A: An AAU game last summer against DFW. It was just a regular pool play game, but the atmosphere was championship-like. And we gave them their first loss of the summer.

Q: Finish this sentence: "Before every game I..."
A: Listen to my iPod. I start out with some songs that will chill me out like Bob Marley to get me calmed down and focused. Then about 20 minutes before it's time to head on the court I start to blast the hard stuff. Like some rap or songs with a really good beat that will get me hyped up.

Q: If you could sit down and have a conversation with three people, living or dead, whom you've never met, who would they be?
A: President Obama, Magic Johnson, Becky Hammon