Former VCU basketball player Willie Taylor dies at age 42
Former VCU basketball star Willie Taylor, a two-time turn-of-the-century All-CAA player, died Saturday. He was 42.
Mr. Taylor initially signed on to play college basketball for the legendary John Thompson at Georgetown but transferred to VCU after a year, where he made an immediate impact as the Rams began their rise to a national brand.
In perhaps his most memorable game, Mr. Taylor scored 41 points against Evansville in his first season with the Rams.
His tenure ended in an equally memorable way when Mr. Taylor was named to the 2003 All-CAA tournament team. He finished with 1,367 points for the Rams.
Mr. Taylor’s death was confirmed in his hometown of LaVergne, Tennessee, where he played high school basketball. A cause of death was not immediately available.
People also read…
Former VCU Basketball Player Willie Taylor: From the Archives
VCU’s Willie Taylor scores during the Rams’ win over George Mason’s George Evans at Siegel Center.
Bruce Parker
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Willie Taylor goes for a basket during an exhibition game Saturday, November 4 at the Siegel Center.
CINDY BLANCHARD
VCU’s Willie Taylor admires his own breakaway dunk during the Rams’ win over Florida Atlantic at the Siegel Center in Richmond.
Bruce Parker
VCU’s Willie Taylor slides over George Mason’s Colin Wyatt to strike during the second half of their CAA game at the Siegel Center on 1/23/02.
DEAN HOFFMEYER
VCU’s Willie Taylor dunks the ball with a fast break in the first half of the Rams’ home game against North Carolina A&T on 11/29/01.
DEAN HOFFMEYER
Virginia Commonwealth University No. 4 Willie Taylor and Drexel University No. 4 Sean Brooks tangle while fighting for a rebound in the first half of 2/2/02.
MARK GORMUS
VCU’s Willie Taylor drives to the bucket during a CAA matchup with ODU at Siegel Center, 09/02/02. FOR FILE
DEAN HOFFMEYER
VCU’s Willie Taylor beats ODU’s John Waller during their CAA matchup at the Siegel Center on 2/9/02.
DEAN HOFFMEYER
VCU’s Willie Taylor with some of his tattoos.
Bruce Parker
Willie Taylor of Virginia Commonwealth University.
MARK GORMUS
VCU’s Willie Taylor scores against VUU.
S.KEVIN MORLEY
VCU’s Willie Taylor scores in the first minute of the game against Hampton University.
S.KEVIN MORLEY
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tgam/FTGR2DGYIFK4PDBW223KMTODU4.jpg?resize=300,300)
