Training in Las Vegas was nice. Traveling from city to city had its perks. But the grind and the seemingly unending road took its toll on Taylor Funk.
The reset button needed pressing. A breath of fresh air was a wanted prescription. The Manheim Central graduate sought a sanctuary, a temple where he could resurface his roots.
What better way to do that than at home. In Lancaster. Where the family feeling flowed and the familiarity sparked a new desire.
Funk, who spent the last two seasons with the Capital City Go-Go, the NBA G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards, awaits his next landing spot. In his return to Lancaster, he’s been working one-on-one with personal trainer Jason Kuntzelman.
He’s in a great place mentally. In the best shape of his career. Funk’s relationship with the hardwood has never been stronger.
“It’s always so refreshing coming home,” Funk said. “I graduated (from high school) seven or eight years ago now, so really, since I graduated, I haven’t spent too much time at home. But it’s just been everything. It’s almost like a trip down memory lane.”
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Funk visited farms he worked at in high school. He stops at his favorite restaurants. He’s been catching up with family, friends and connections that were temporarily lost due to his professional endeavors.
All the intangibles that he missed dearly — for almost the last decade.
“It’s been a good summer,” Funk said. “I needed it, for sure, while being able to stay focused. It’s really been the best of both worlds.”
The second world, as imagined, has been in the gym, with a basketball in hand. Kuntzelman moved in with Funk this offseason. The pair are on the same schedule, an identical wavelength.
Two years in the G League taught and tested the 2017 Barons alumnus. It’s what prompted the recentering in Lancaster. A trip down memory lane, per se, with the basics of basketball.
“More than ever, it’s just been dialing in on the little details,” Funk said. “And that’s been all summer. I was a free agent this year, so the uncertainty of where I was going just kind of gave me the ability to just lock in and worry about getting better, rather than having to worry about next year, because I didn’t really know what was going on. I just left it all in my agent’s hands.”
While his agent handled the business, Funk began getting his money’s worth on the court. Described as fine-tuning the “boring things,” the former Saint Joseph’s and Utah State standout allots two hours of yoga, stretching and ankle and calf workouts before he touches the rock. Once on the floor, a focus on athleticism, muscle use and speed emerges.
“At the end of the year, my agent and I had a good conversation,” Funk said. “He was like, ‘You need kind of that second level of scoring. Your shot’s there and your IQ’s not going away, but we need to add a little more paint scoring.’ And it’s kind of been the goal this summer. It’s how can I get to that second level of putting the ball in the hoop.”
Funk can be found at Spooky Nook, bodying players in drills several days a week. The opponent is often fleet of foot, in hopes of elevating his defensive acumen and lateral quickness.
The matchups mimic pickup games. Funk is participating in more than he can count.
“It’s people I hate to play against,” Funk said with a laugh, “but I just know it’s exactly what I needed.”
The uptick in training also stems from the constant competition of the G League. With NBA squads sending players down for assignment and two-way contracts cutting into everyday-player time, Funk is clawing for minutes against his rostermates.
In the 2023-24 season, Funk appeared in 34 games and started 25. Last winter, he was limited to five starts in his 30 games. He maximized his minutes, averaging 11.1 points per contest while corralling 3.8 rebounds and distributing 2.2 assists.
“You learn a lot about yourself in an emotional way,” Funk said, “because the two-ways come down, but roster guys don’t really play too much. … So you really have to learn to get out of your own way.”
Funk hasn’t signed a contract as of Sunday, but he’s drawn interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns’ G League affiliates, the San Diego Clippers and Valley Suns. Los Angeles has extended a training-camp invitation.
“I think the most important part is figuring out what your role is, what you’re supposed to do on that court,” Funk said. “Because this game is like chess or a puzzle. Everyone has a piece, and you really gotta own your skill and figure out what that is. I think a lot of people, they kind of just want to do it all. And you can’t have five guys out there doing it all.”
As Funk awaits his next calling, he’ll continue to align the pieces of the puzzle, make his next move on the proverbial chess board.
He feels recentered. He’s exhaled. He’s found his sanctuary, his temple.
All at home.
“I love Lancaster,” Funk said.
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