Sports journalist Taylor Rooks, known for her sideline poise and athlete rapport, delved into her roots, resilience, and rising projects in a recent interview with Schön! Magazine, revealing how family tales and fashion flair fueled her climb in basketball media.
Rooks, 33, hosts “NBA on Prime” and has interviewed stars from LeBron James to Dwyane Wade. The October 2023 chat spans her childhood sports obsession to philanthropy dreams, underscoring her push for authenticity in a field long shaped by men.
Roots in the Game
Rooks’ love for sports ignited early, tied to family lore. She recalls road trips with her father to Chicago, absorbing his tales of a game-winning touchdown for the University of Illinois. “Sports live inside people,” she said, evoking the emotion of her first NBA game at Michael Jordan’s United Center in the 1990s.
High school football championships under Friday night lights cemented her bond, while mimicking TV anchors with a childhood camcorder sparked journalism dreams. College honed her passion for live broadcasts’ adrenaline, merging her worlds seamlessly.
Style as Storytelling Tool
In a uniform industry, Rooks wields fashion like a narrative edge. Bold colors and silhouettes make her memorable, echoing the late Craig Sager’s vibrant suits. “When you look good, you feel good,” she quoted Deion Sanders, adapting it to her sideline “slay.”
Young women credit her for shattering molds, feeling seen beyond the “box” of traditional journalists. Her aesthetic draws non-fans, sparking broader conversations and proving style bolsters credibility, not distracts.
Facing Industry Headwinds
Rooks calls sports media “male-heavy,” not dominated, stressing excellence trumps gender. As a Black woman, she navigates an “invisible scale” — assertive yet not “difficult,” stylish without overshadowing. Early scrutiny tested her, but she reframes her lens as a “gift” for empathetic insights.
Boundaries protect it: saying no to belittling gigs, ensuring the next generation thrives uncompromised. “There’s not just one way to do this job,” she affirmed.
Accolades and Athlete Bonds
Named Complex’s 25 Most Entertaining Sports Media Personalities and GQ’s “Your favorite athlete’s favorite journalist,” Rooks values validation but prioritizes connection. Athletes see her interviews as milestones; some attended her wedding, others seek advice.
Trust drives depth: emulating Ahmad Rashad’s warm rigor, she crafts “friend-to-friend” talks, name-dropped in rap lyrics and chats with President Barack Obama. Vulnerability yields “stories that matter.”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
The Taylor Rooks Foundation aids classrooms — recently funding 28 teachers’ wish lists — repaying communities that shaped her. “A door opened,” she said of easing burdens for youth.
Advice to her younger self? “Use the internet, don’t let it use you.” Prioritize skills over viral chases.
On “NBA on Prime,” Rooks builds from scratch with legends like Dirk Nowitzki and Candace Parker. Thrilled for creative reins, she envisions fun, insightful fan bridges. No quitting tempted her; passion sustains.
Rooks’ journey spotlights innovation amid tradition, inspiring authenticity in sports storytelling.
Check out the amazing photos by a fantastic photographer, Dametreus Ward. You can check out his Instagram here.
Flip the pages, you won’t be disappointed.
