2013-2014:
- Finished the season with averages of 22.2 minutes, 6.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.42 assists, and 0.55 steals in addition to a .500 field goal percentage.
- Posted six games of scoring ten or more points, two games with three or more blocks, one game of three or more steals and six games with at least eight rebounds
- First career double-figure game with 10 points and eight rebounds vs. Milwaukee
- Broke through with 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting in win over San Jose State
- Matched his career-high 13 rebounds and had a near double-double with eight points against Winthrop
- Registered 11 points, five rebounds, and a pair of blocks in an 84-69 road win at High Point
- Well-rounded contribution of of eight points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and three steals vs. Hampton
- First career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds vs. Delaware while adding a career-high of four blocks
- Nine points vs. Towson on 4-7 shooting for best point total in nearly a month
- Led JMU in rebounding at Hofstra with seven for the first time as team leader since Jan. 15, when he wrapped up stretch as leader in four of five games
2012-13:
- Finished the season with averages of 11.5 minutes per game, 2.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks
- JMU debut in first half at No. 13 UCLA with his first career points at 1:37 mark of the half
- Saw extensive second-half action vs. North Dakota State, converting all three attempts for six points
- One of the best all-around efforts with four points, four rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist in a season-high 16 minutes vs. San Diego
- Four points and four rebounds in 15 minutes of action vs. UNCW
- Made first career start vs. Drexel and smashed season highs with nine points, 13 rebounds and 33 minutes played
- Accumulated nine rebounds to go with four points and two blocks in win over Delaware
Before JMU:
- Played for head coach Sam Rines and Rise Academy during the 2011-2012 school year
- Team MVP in his postgraduate season at Rise
- Averaged 15.5 points, eight rebounds and two blocks to lead Rise to a 32-12 overall mark
- Graduated from Frankford High School in 2011
- Captured the Philadelphia Public League AAAA city championship with the Pioneers and reached the round of 16 in state playoffs
- Averaged eight points, six rebounds and four blocks as a senior as Frankford went 21-5
- Pioneers went 22-5 as a junior
- Started playing basketball during his junior year of high school
- Over the course of his scholastic career, also competed in soccer, volleyball, tennis and cross country
Personal:
- Son of Terri Bessick
- Undeclared major
Getting to know Taylor...
Why did you choose JMU?
It was the best fit for me.
What is your major?
Undeclared.
Which of your teammates would you most want to play in a one-on-one game?
Any of them, they are all competitive and all want to win.
Which professional basketball player(s) do you try to model your game after?
Carmelo Anthony
What did last year’s NCAA tournament run mean to you?
Everything. I got to be a part of something that was bigger than me.
I wear #22 because...
It was my high school number.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Will Smith
If not basketball, what other sport would you play?
Football or Baseball
What will it take for you to consider this season a success?
Win another championship.
          Â
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
Meagan Good
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Philadelphia. It’s the city that made me into who I am today.
How old were you when you first knew that you wanted to play basketball in college?
17 years old.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Living life comfortably.
If you could have dinner with any 3 people in the world, who would they be?
Both of my grandmothers, and my mother.
Favorites:
NBA Team: Â New York KnicksNFL Team: Kansas City ChiefsMovie: He Got GameTV Show: Anything on Cartoon Network
Junk Food: Now & Laters
Holiday: ChristmasCartoon Character: Superman
Sneaker: Jordans and FoampositesVideo Game: NBA 2K
Month: November
Pick One:PC or Mac: MacDC or Marvel Comics: DCD-Hall or E-Hall: Â E-HallTwitter or Facebook: TwitterSmooth or Chunky Peanut Butter: ChunkyWalmart or Target: WalmartDroid or iPhone: iPhone
Burger King or McDonalds: Chik-Fil-A
NBA 2K or NBA Live: NBA 2KPlaystation or XBOX: Playstation