Roland "Fatty" Taylor
Men's Basketball
Induction Year: 1995
Roland Taylor was born in March, 1946 in Washington, D.C. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Dodge City Community College in 1967 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1969.
While at DC3, Mr. Taylor was awarded the following honors: Western Division All-Conference honors (1966), Region VI NJCAA first-team (1966), NJCAA National All-Tournament Team honorable mention (1967), Western Conference All-Star Team (1967), All-Region VI Team (1967), NJCAA All-American third-team (1967), Outstanding Player for the Conqs (1967), and was on the 1967 Conquistador team that finished eighth at the NJCAA National Tournament. He was second in the KJCCC in scoring his freshman year (1965-66) averaging 21.3 points per game, while averaging 17.3 points per game his sophomore year. Taylor finished his two years with the Conquistadors with 961 points which ranks as fifth most in a career in school history. He also ranks fourth in school history in field goals made in career with 376, while ranking fifth in career free throws made (209) and career points (961), also tenth in single season field goals made (200 - 1965-66).
Other honors he received: All-Conference second team at LaSalle (1969), LaSalle Hall of Fame in 1985. Mr. Taylor played professional basketball for the Washington Capitals, Virginia Squires, Denver Rockets, and Denver Nuggets. He was unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in 1972, All-ABA Defense (1973, '74, '75), Most Inspirational Player with the Denver Nuggets (1974), and ABA Player of the Month (April, 1974). He retired in 1977 with a combined ABA/NBA career total of 5,098 points, 2.563 assists, and 2.524 rebounds.
Mr. Taylor became a business owner of multiple sports bars and night clubs following his retirement. He was also a mentor and coach for hundreds of youth through his Taylor-Made Playaz Basketball Camp, focusing on at-risk youth who needed assistance with academics and life skills. He passed away on December 7, 2017.
