Willie Taylor (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mason, Tennessee, U.S. |
| High school | Henry (Byhalia, Mississippi) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | LeMoyne–Owen (1965–1969) |
| NBA Draft | 1969 / Round: 2 / Pick: 28th overall |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
Willie J. Taylor is an American who used to play basketball. He played college basketball for the LeMoyne–Owen Magicians team. The Philadelphia 76ers picked him as the 28th player in the 1969 NBA draft.
Contents
Willie Taylor's Basketball Journey
High School and College Years
Willie Taylor played basketball in high school at Henry High in Byhalia, Mississippi. After high school, he went on to play college basketball for the LeMoyne–Owen Magicians. He was a star player, acting as a center for the team from 1965 to 1969.
During his final year of college, Willie was amazing on the court. He scored about 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in each game. This showed how skilled he was at both scoring and getting the ball back for his team.
Joining the NBA Draft
Because of his great college performance, Willie Taylor was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1969 NBA draft. He was the 28th player picked overall. A scout for the 76ers saw him play really well at a tournament in 1969. In one game, he scored 25 points and got 22 rebounds!
The 76ers' coach, Jack Ramsay, thought Willie could be a big surprise in the draft. Willie signed a contract with the 76ers in June 1969. He played in a couple of practice games. However, he was later released from the team before the 1969–70 NBA season officially started.
Willie Taylor's Life After Basketball
After his basketball career, Willie Taylor became a reverend. He was married to Cassie for 44 years, and they had three children together. Cassie passed away in 2014.
