ASKER, Norway – Across the collegiate and now into the professional ranks, Academy of Art women's basketball and School of Interior Architecture & Design graduate Tayler Bennett has epitomized hard work. Currently a starting guard for the Asker Aliens, a pro basketball club competing in Norway-Kvinneligaen, Bennett is thriving as the program's first Urban Knight graduate to compete at the professional level.

Following her graduation in 2021, Bennett was looking to continue her basketball career and became connected with the Asker club through her agent. A short visit to Norway ensued where she had an opportunity to both practice with the elite women's squad and coach a younger girls' team before being offered a dual position as a player and coach which she subsequently accepted.

Bennett officially started for Asker in the early part of 2022, debuting with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 40 minutes against Storm Ungdom on Feb. 5. From there, she took a significant step forward with what would be season-highs of 30 points and nine rebounds in a pivotal victory over Ullern which secured third place for her team in Norway's National Elite series.
 
"The experience playing overseas for me has been fantastic and very eye-opening," Bennett said. "The European style of play focuses on the team and playing together. There are no superstars, but everyone mutually benefiting from the success of the team. In addition, I also have had the opportunity to experience a new culture and all of its aspects."

As Bennett continued to fill up the stat sheet while regularly playing over 30 minutes per game, the Aliens wrapped up a 3-1 month of March. She highlighted the stretch with eight assists against Baerum on Mar. 20 then 26 points versus Ulriken on Mar. 27 before the start of the postseason. Keying a 65-49 win over Bergen in the quarterfinals, Bennett's game-high 23 points came with an eye-popping nine steals. Though a seven-point loss came at the hands of Ullern in the finals, Bennett still finished three postseason games in three days averaging 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 steals per contest.

"The competition is a little different because we experience several players who have the capability to play multiple positions, instead of one or two roles like in the states," Bennett said. "However, coming from collegiate athletics where I have had to guard different role players, I felt prepared and equipped to play overseas."

Transferring to Academy of Art from Rice as a graduate student, Bennett made her presence felt in the Urban Knights' 2019-20 campaign. She led the Pacific West Conference in three-point field goals made per game (3.1) and finished the year with averages of 15.2 points (11th in PacWest), 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals (fifth in PacWest), and 1.9 assists per game. After she was named PacWest Player of the Week following a memorable start to the year that was capped by a buzzer-beating game-winning layup against Concordia (Ore.), one of her biggest highlights was breaking the ART U single-game scoring record with 39 points while tying the three-point field goals made record (9) all against Azusa Pacific on Jan. 2.

"I knew Tayler was a pro the moment she stepped foot on campus," said Head Coach Krystle Evans. "She was reliable on and off the court, set high standards for herself, and was determined to outwork everyone. She always held herself accountable when she fell short of her goals, and quickly bounced back. Her toughness, work ethic, attitude, competitive mindset, and skillset is a recipe for success. I am so happy for her."

As Bennett moves forward with her professional career, she remains committed to her goal of continuing to do her best for her team.