Roland "Fatty" Taylor

Ht. 6-0
Wt. 180
College - Dodge City CC/LaSalle
ABA Teams: Washington (1969-70), Virginia (1970-71 to 1973-74 and 1975-76), Denver (1974-75)

Nicknamed "Fatty" since his childhood. Picked by Philadelphia in the 1969 collegiate draft, was waived by the 76ers in the pre-season, and signed as a free agent in 1969-70 with the Washington Caps. Had his best season as a pro during the 72-73 campaign with the Virginia Squires, averaging 10 ppg along with a .460 field goal percentage mark. Veteran of six ABA playoffs. Led Nuggets in steals in 1974-75 with 172. Known for his defensive tenacity. Named to the ABA's All-Defensive First Team in both 1973 and 1974. Played one NBA season with the Denver Nuggets (1976-77).

From Jim O'Brien's 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:
Was chubby as a child, which explains his nearly life-long nickname . . . Loved by fans in Virginia for his all-out hustle . . . Also has won over some coaches with his approach.  "He's just a super defensive player," said Bob Bass, getting a little carried away if you ask me, "with the fastest hands I've probably ever seen.  He's not only a sharp defensive player, he's all over the court.  That's super team defense." . . . Taylor's coach, Al Bianchi, says, "When Fatty's in the game, we're on our toes and alert.  When he's not in there, we sometimes tend to stand around a bit." . . . Averaged just over nine points and five assists a game for 1971-72, but his contribution can't be measured by mere statistics . . . Says he came "strictly from the ghetto.  I never had anything." . . . Works in the summers with kids in the Washington D.C. ghettoes. "Recreation is an escape for the black man," he says.  "The black kids figure if they're good in sports and maintain certain grades in high school they can escape the ghetto and go out and do something and be something.  That's why I figure some of the kids need guidance."  
GP Min FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% TReb AST PF Stl Blk Pnts RPG APG PPG
Career ABA Totals 561 16158 1831 4167 .439 29 141 .206 1106 1627 .680 2313 2275 1801 - - 4797 4.1 4.1 8.6
ABA Playoff Totals 53 1336 127 313 .406 3 14 .214 74 104 .712 200 167 163 - - 331 3.8 3.2 6.2

 


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