Willie J. Taylor is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the LeMoyne–Owen Magicians and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 28th overall pick of the 1969 NBA draft.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mason, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Henry (Byhalia, Mississippi) |
| College | LeMoyne–Owen (1965–1969) |
| NBA draft | 1969: 2nd round, 28th overall pick |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Position | Center |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Playing career
editTaylor played basketball at Henry High School in Byhalia, Mississippi.[1] He played college basketball for the LeMoyne–Owen Magicians where he starred as a center from 1965 to 1969.[2] He averaged 18 points and 18 rebounds per game during his senior season.[1]
Taylor was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 28th overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft.[3] He was drafted at the recommendation of a 76ers scout who saw him play at the 1969 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament where he recorded 25 points and 22 rebounds in a game.[1] 76ers head coach and general manager, Jack Ramsay, considered taking Taylor in the first round – ultimately choosing Bud Ogden – and claimed that "he could be the biggest sleeper in the draft."[4] Taylor signed a one-year deal with the 76ers on June 29, 1969,[1] but only played sparingly in two exhibition games.[5] He was waived by the 76ers on September 28, 1969, as the team's final roster cut before the start of the 1969–70 NBA season.[5]
Personal life
editTaylor became a reverend.[6] He had three children with his wife, Cassie, who died in 2014 after 44 years of marriage.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "76ers Sign Willie Taylor". Sunday News. June 29, 1969. p. 34. Retrieved February 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alumni Award to Cager" (PDF). The Tri-State Defender. June 14, 1969. p. 12. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Rappaport, Max (May 29, 2003). "Draft Pick History". NBA.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Cavagnaro, Charles (April 8, 1969). "76ers Draft LeMoyne-Owen's Taylor". The Commercial Appeal. p. 19. Retrieved February 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Philadelphia 76ers Waive Willie Taylor". Standard-Speaker. September 29, 1969. p. 22. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "CASSIE TAYLOR Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved October 22, 2023.