‘There is still so much to give’: Family remembers standout Virginia basketball player killed in Myrtle Beach shooting

Jackie LiBrizzi and Caleb McCusker

21 mins ago

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) — A 16-year-old was shot while visiting Myrtle Beach from Virginia, was an aspiring basketball star, according to a press release from a family friend.

Jakolbi Taylor of Roanoke was visiting Myrtle Beach with friends and family when he was struck about 1:15 a.m. near a beach access on 16th Avenue N., said Tamara Willard, deputy Horry County coroner.

Taylor was visiting Myrtle Beach for a tournament with the Virginia Warriors AAU basketball team, family friend Dora Taylor-Lowe said Monday. He scored 43 points and led his team to victory just hours before his death.

“To know Jakolbi was to love him. He was a young man of extraordinary character and bright spirit, with a unique ability to brighten and transform the atmosphere of every room he entered,” his aunt Briana Taylor said in the press release. “As a valued member of his community, Jakolbi’s presence was a blessing to everyone who had the privilege of crossing his path.”

Briana Taylor said Jakolbi’s body will be returned to Virginia on Monday and preparations will begin after that.

“We will say goodbye to him in the most beautiful way we can,” she said. “We will make sure that his friends and teammates and all the people who loved him celebrate his life.”

According to the press release, Jakolbi was a rising junior at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke. As a sophomore, he played on the varsity basketball team and averaged 10 points, four rebounds and two assists per game.

“A quote from the mother of one of the teenagers: She says Jakolbi was the glue that held the team together,” Briana said. Describing Jakolbi’s personality, she called him “funny, a jokester who takes basketball seriously, confident, fearless.”

Patrick Henry’s assistant principal Joe Booan issued the following statement following Jakolbi’s death.

“Good afternoon. This is an important message from Joe Booan, Assistant Principal of Patrick Henry High School. As you may have heard, a shooting has occurred in the Myrtle Beach community. I am sad to report that one of our students has died. The Myrtle Beach Police Department is investigating.

I want to let you know about the resources and support available to you and your family. We have provided resources for parents and guardians under “Quick Links” on the Roanoke City Public School website in case you need to talk to your child about grief. You can access these by clicking on the “Parental/Guardian Resources” button at the top of the home page next to the orange banner. Mental health services are available through Hazel Health, as well as immediate support through Carilion CONNECT at (540) 981-8181. School counselors and social workers are also available.

Please know that we are here to support you and our entire Patrick Henry community. Out of respect for the family, we are not sharing any personal information and I hope you will join me in respecting their privacy during their grief and supporting one another.”

“Jakolbi’s legacy extends far beyond his athletic accomplishments,” the press release said. “He was admired not only for his skills on the field, but also as a remarkable human being. The community mourns the loss of a young man who had so much more to give, both as an athlete and as a beloved member of his community.”

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune also expressed her condolences to the Taylor family.

“I can tell you that my deepest prayers are with the family of the teenager who lost his life,” she told News13 in a text message after the shooting. “No parent should have to suffer such a loss and it breaks my heart for them.”