Ray’Sean Taylor makes history in final season at SIUE

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Since SIUE men’s basketball became a Division I program in 2008, only one player has scored more than 1,549 points. Collinsville, Illinois, native Ray’Sean Taylor has built a career to remember as a Cougar.

In his 100th game at SIUE Ray’Sean Taylor scored his 1,550th point, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer at the Division I level.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know anything about it,” said SIUE graduate guard Ray’Sean Taylor. “I knew I probably could beat it, but I wasn’t paying any attention to it. I always knew I could score, so I wasn’t surprised when I became the leading scorer. There was so much stuff I had to fight through to get there.”

It hasn’t been an easy road for Taylor as he’s battled multiple season-ending injuries during his college career. However, one thing stayed the same; his willingness to work.

“Just keep tacking days, really,” he said. “Even when I was out, I still was working on my game. Working on my shooting and all that.”

With that work came an elite skill set.

“He has an ability to go side to side, or as we say ‘east, west or north, south,’ he goes front back or side to side. I think his hesitation and his change of speed, with his ability to shoot makes him elite,” said SIUE head men’s basketball coach Brian Barone.

Once his skill matched his basketball IQ, Taylor’s game reached a whole new level.

“The game slowed down for me. It was a bit sped up my first year, but I was going off talent. Once talent wasn’t everything, I was able to use my IQ, and I feel like I became a better player,” Taylor said.

Taylor has averaged more than 13 points a game during all four seasons at SIUE, and with him leading the way this is a team that feels it’s capable of a championship run.

“I think when you have someone who’s as special as he is as a person and as a player surrounded with a group of guys that are also very special, there’s no ceiling,” said Barone. “I don’t mean that arrogantly, I don’t mean that any other way other than when you believe in a group of people, belief is a very powerful tool.

“I know this will be the year that we get over the hump,” Taylor added. “I want to win a championship, cut down the net and continue to put on from where I’m from.”

Ray’Sean Taylor was part of one of Coach Barone’s first recruiting classes at SIUE, and the two have been a big part of the Cougars creating a winning culture. This season, they’re well on their way to having three straight winning seasons for the first time since SIUE transitioned to Division I.