Ollie Taylor, 1947-2025

*Photo credit to nasljerseys.com. Ollie Taylor against the Memphis Pros' Johnny Neumann.

Former ABA guard Ollie Taylor has passed away at the age of 78. 

Taylor, a New York native, attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where he played with future Hall of Fame guard Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Among Taylor’s experiences at Dewitt Clinton were playing against New York City playground legend Earl “The Goat” Manigault, who starred at Ben Franklin High School. 

At San Jacinto College (Pasadena, Texas), Taylor led the Ravens in 1967 to the NJCAA Division-I National Championship game, before winning a championship in 1968. While a Raven, Taylor set records for most points in a season (1,409 in 1967-68) and career (2,456). In his two seasons at San Jacinto, he averaged 26.2 points and scored 53 points in a game his sophomore season there, setting a program record. In 1970 at the University of Houston, Taylor averaged 24.4 points and 11.5 rebounds at just 6’2, leading the Cougars to the Sweet 16. At Houston, Taylor averaged 22.0 points and 10.3 rebounds on 53% shooting. 

Taylor was selected 189th overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but went to the New York Nets of the ABA, playing for Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca on a team that included Rick Barry, "The Whopper" Billy Paultz, and Bill Melchionni. In 1972, the Nets lost the ABA championship in six games to the Indiana Pacers, who boasted an impressive quartet of Freddie Lewis, Roger Brown, George McGinnis, and Mel Daniels. 

In 1972-73, Taylor played 69 games under KC Jones for the San Diego Conquistadors and averaged a career-high 13.7 points per game on 43% shooting. Taylor finished up his career in 1973-74 playing eight games for the Nets and 23 for the Carolina Cougars. In his ABA career, he averaged 9.7 points on 46% shooting. 

Blessed with a vertical of around 46 inches, the guard was able to put up big-time rebounding numbers, as his college averages would indicate. Taylor honed his skills at Rucker Park, playing against blacktop legends Pee Wee Kirkland and Joe Hammond while he suited up alongside Julius Erving, former Net ‘mate Paultz, and guard Charlie Scott in the Rucker League for future Hall of Fame journalist Peter Vecsey’s team The Westsiders. Taylor also played on Vecsey’s Daily News Rucker team.

A unique part of the history of a league that put itself on the map and flourished in being different from the NBA. Also, he was a valued piece of Rucker Park history.  

RIP, Ollie Taylor.