One of Easom’s greats on the basketball court gives back to youth after a busy career

state of Arkansas.

“When I got there, I made an impact. Everybody wondered where I came from,” Taylor said.

However, after spending a year going to school and playing there, Arkansas’high school athletic association said that Taylor had been illegally recruited and the school had to forfeit all its games for that year.

“For me to stay, Coach had to adopt me,” Taylor said. “He had to convince my mother, and she said no until she was finally convinced.” During his years in Arkansas, he became one of three players in Arkansas history to score 2,000 points in a three-year career, averaging 36 points a game. He was named honorable mention All American in Arkansas, and his team went to the state basketball finals one year.

“The opportunity I had to go to Arkansas was a godsend,” Taylor said.

what is the equivalent of the NBA’s D-League today. Taylor said his agent convinced him to play in Canada for the Toronto Diplomat. He played there for several years. . During his career, he also tried out for the Buffalo Braves in the NBAand the Virginia Squires. Later he played semi-pro in Washington, D.C., on the weekends and on coalition teams that vied against NBA players in summer leagues.

He returned to Corinth and spent over a year close to his mother Taylor worked as a substitute teacher at Easom during that time, and he also worked with children at the Corinth Boys & Girls Club, Taylor said Coach

Self was his role model in giving back to his community, wherever he lived, by working in sports with local youths. “Coach influenced me to give back.”

“I’ve had several jobs, but I always end up getting back to working with youth,” Taylor said. “It’s so rewarding. I tell them ‘Life may be tough but you can make it,’” he said.

After his playing career ended, Taylor said he struggled with substance abuse issues. “I turned to the wrong place, but then I turned back to the Lord,” he said, adding that he talks about his problems with the youths he works with. “People can struggle with certain things but they can overcome it.”

Taylor now lives in Charlotte, N.C. “I just picked Charlotte 27 years ago. I didn’t know anyone there,” he said. He has worked at a group home for years, giving back by coaching and working with the kids in other recreational areas. In Charlotte, Taylor said he stays busy in his church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where he’s on the trustees’board, superintendent of Sunday School, and usher and in whatever area the church needs.

Six of Taylor’s siblings are alive – a brother in Atlanta, four sisters in Mississippi and another sister in Milwaukee. Taylor has three children, two daughters and a son, and is a great-great-grandfather.

By Lucy Weber

For more than 60 years, basketball has played an important role in Johnny Taylor’s life.

He started as a sixthgrade starter on the varsity team at Corinth’s Easom High, earned numerous accolades on an Arkansas high school team, traveled by bus across the U.S. and Canada as a professional player and loved every minute. He also gave his time generously throughout his career- and still does today – working with youth in Charlotte, N.C.

“I had a really good time. I just enjoyed playing the game. It was a joy to get out there and entertain people. I felt so free showcasing my talent,” said Taylor.

Taylor, now 74, went by the nickname Hulk, which was the shortened version of Huckleberry Hound, the name given to him by another Easom legend Aaron Long, a friend from his playground days. Taylor played for two seasons at Easom under Coach Ray Self and then under Frank Dorsey. By his sophomore year, he stood 6 feet, 6 inches.

Self had moved to Newport, Ark., and wanted Taylor to join him there. Taylor moved there and played three years and became one of the top basketball players in the

Taylor stayed close to his family in Mississippi, where he was one of 15 siblings. He also remained close to Ray Self until his death. “He was a good man. I loved him for what he did for me.” Self’s wife, who Taylor called Mama Self, now lives in Starkville, and Taylor visits her and gives her roses when he comes back to Mississippi.

Taylor attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for two years after graduating from high school in Newport in 1967. He declared a hardship that allowed him to go to the ABAearly. He attended rookie camp in Pittsburgh, and played in