VILLANOVA, Pa. - Rodney Taylor, a rugged forward who played four seasons for the Wildcats and was a key part of the 1988 team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, died Saturday at the age of 48.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright was an assistant coach on the staff of coach Rollie Massimino during Taylor's junior and senior years.

"Rodney was a gentleman and a great example to me as a young coach," stated Wright. "He was friendly, polite, and respectful at all times, even as he dealt with injuries. On the court, Rodney was a warrior and a loyal teammate everyone counted on. He was someone all Villanovans were proud to call a Wildcat. His family is in our prayers."

Taylor, 6-6, came to Villanova from Columbia, S.C. as part of an acclaimed recruiting class signed 18 months after the Wildcats earned the 1985 NCAA Championship. A broken foot disrupted his freshman campaign but over the next three seasons he emerged as a member of the Wildcats' starting lineup, averaging 7.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg as a sophomore on a unit that reached the Elite Eight before falling to Oklahoma.

In his senior year (1989-90), he helped lead his team back to the NCAA Tournament before earning his degree in May 1990.

In his four seasons at Villanova Taylor collected 614 rebounds, which ranks 33rd on Villanova's all-time list.

Taylor was living in his native Columbia, S.C. at the time of his passing.

A funeral will be held this Saturday, Jan. 31 at noon at Zion Canaan Baptist Church (7820 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC, 29203). A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 10 a.m.-noon.

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