He stood as tall as the New York skyline in which he was raised.
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Born in New York, 1965 and standing at six foot seven, Norman Taylor was a beast on the court, but a gentleman off of it.
And one Southern Highland basketball team got a first hand show of what 'Stormin' Norman could do.
Taylor began his basketball career at the NCAA Division II University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
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He spent four years playing college basketball for the Purple Knights and is still ranked second all-time in career points (2,170).
In 1988, Taylor declared for the NBA draft. The draft saw players such as Steve Kerr, Rik Smits, Rod Strickland and New York Knick's star John Starks selected to teams.
Taylor went undrafted and in 1989 he moved to Australia to play for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL.
He played 67 games for the Hawks over three seasons and averaged 27.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in his career.
He is still the only Illawarra Hawk to have a 50 point game and was named the Hawks' Club MVP in each of his three seasons.
His 1990 season is considered the greatest individual statistical season in NBL history.
Then, it was magic time.
How Taylor came to don the mighty green of the Moss Vale Magic was when two sons played each other in a game their fathers loved.
Former Moss Vale Magic State League coach, Kevin Campbell remembers what a saviour Taylor was for the team.
"Basically, the state team I coached couldn't win a game," Campbell said.
"We had good young kids, great shooters and talent, but no size.
"My son Billy was playing Norm's son Adonis at Illawarra. They became mates, and we became friendly with the Taylor family.
"One night we're at dinner and I'm talking about how our team hadn't won any games. Norm's wife suggested I ask him to play.
"I said 'you're kidding, NBL legend Norm Taylor coming to Moss Vale?'
"Next thing we know, he's in and playing for Moss Vale. It's one of those things you dream about."
Director of the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium, Paul Barcicki remembers it was a very exciting time having Taylor playing for Moss Vale.
"We made the playoffs three times with Norm," Barcicki said.
"He played 67 games for the Hawks and he played 40-45 for the Moss Vale Magic.
"It was pretty exceptional to have a player of Norm's caliber don the mighty Moss Vale green.
"The young blokes who he played with were in awe and shock. Once he settled in he did a lot of mentoring for the kids.
"Norm always played strong. It was always great to see a bloke of his caliber showing his talents.
"He'd pull out the signature moves and get the crowd excited. It was great to watch.
"It was an exceptional experience and he was an exceptional man.
"He's a sensational bloke and I really liked him a lot."
He was a better person than he was a player and that's saying something because he was a phenomenal player
- 1996 NBL coach of the year, and former Moss Vale Magic player, Brett Flanigan.
Campbell will remember the talent and showmanship Norm displayed while playing, but he will also miss what a great person he was off of the court.
"He wasn't tall by NBL big man standards, but his strength, wow," Campbell said.
"Once he had you in the paint and his back to the basket, he was unstoppable.
"But, on and off the court, he was an absolute gentleman. He had time for everybody.
"Sometimes sporting stars can have a bit of an ego and don't fit in with the locals. Norm fit right in and was one of the boys.
"First day of training he stayed back and helped mentor the younger blokes on the team. He was passionate about helping the younger players.
"He gave us instant credibility."
1996 NBL coach of the year, and former Moss Vale Magic player, Brett Flanigan coached the Canberra Cannons to success, but was also an assistant coach at the Hawks when Taylor was causing havoc on the hardwood.
"Norm was a lovely guy, he was one of the first big men to come to Australia to play," Flanigan said.
"He was a big man, but had very light feet. Wonderful footwork. I haven't seen a big man with the footwork Norm had to this day.
"He wasn't scared of contact in the paint though. A lot of big men these days drift around the three point line, Norm was someone you built your offence around in the paint.
"When we had big Norm in the paint, he was always a threat.
"He was an exceptional talent. We may have had better athletic talent come to Australia, but no better skillful big men.
"He wanted to be an inside force and that's exactly what he was."
Flanigan will always remember the good times he shared with Taylor as they travelled around Australia playing and coaching the game they love.
"He was so appreciative," Flanigan said.
"He loved being in Australia and he embraced being here. American sport stars can find that difficult.
"For a New York guy to find it easy in Australia, that's very rare.
"But, he was just an all-round nice guy that loved and appreciated being here.
"He was a better person than he was a player and that's saying something because he was a phenomenal player."
Norman Taylor passed away at the age of 55 on November 15, 2020.
He is survived by his two sons Jordan and Adonis.
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