Erica Taylor, or as some might know her, Erica Smith-Taylor, is a name that pops up when talking about the WNBA, though her story is one that might surprise ya. Born on November 29, 1982, in a little place called Brinkley, this gal sure made her mark in the world of basketball. You might think she was born with a basketball in her hand, but the truth is, she had some other dreams too, like becoming a writer or even a teacher. But like a lot of folks from small towns, her passion for sports led her straight to the big leagues.
Now, Erica didn’t just stumble into the WNBA by accident. Oh no. She worked hard and was drafted by the Washington Mystics in 2005 during the second round of the WNBA Draft. The draft, for those of you who don’t know, is like when the basketball teams pick out players from college teams, hoping to find the next big star. And let me tell you, back then, Erica was one of those players that got picked because folks could see her potential. Some say it was her skills on the court that earned her a spot, and others point to her never-give-up attitude.
Now, during her college days at Louisiana Tech, Erica was a pretty decent player. I reckon her three-point shooting wasn’t bad either. Over her college career, she made a fair number of shots from beyond the arc, though she didn’t always have the best luck when it came to the final years. But sometimes, folks just have a rough season, and you can’t let that define you, can ya?
After playing for the Mystics, things started to shift a bit for Erica. She didn’t just stop playing basketball, oh no. She kept moving forward, trying her hand at coaching. She found herself heading to West Memphis, where she stepped in as the head coach for the Lady Devils. You see, life after playing professional sports doesn’t have to be the end of the line; for some folks, it’s just the beginning of another chapter. And Erica was ready to write hers.
Now, I know some of you might’ve heard about her personal life, too. Erica Taylor is also known for being the wife of Jermain Taylor, a middleweight boxing champion. But don’t get too excited, because things have taken a turn. Her husband’s behind bars now, which has been quite a bit of a mess, to be honest. But through it all, Erica’s continued to carry on, doing what she knows best—focusing on her career and her family.
And speaking of family, her journey has made her a role model for young girls who might wanna step onto the basketball court themselves one day. Not everyone can say they’ve been part of a team like the Washington Mystics, but Erica did it. She showed that even if things don’t always go the way you planned, you can still push forward and make something of yourself.
But let’s not forget, her journey wasn’t all about basketball. There was that coaching gig, where she had to prove herself all over again. She had to show that she wasn’t just a former player, but a leader, someone who could guide the next generation of basketball stars. I reckon that’s just what she did in West Memphis—taking over from Shelia Burns as the head coach. And from what I hear, she’s doing a fine job at it too.
The WNBA draft is a big deal, and it’s no small feat to get drafted in the first place. But even after the draft, Erica showed that she wasn’t done. She didn’t just walk away from basketball when her playing days ended. Nope, she found a new way to stay involved, passing on her knowledge to young athletes who look up to folks like her. And that’s the kind of thing that makes her stand out from the crowd.
So, if you ever get the chance, remember Erica Taylor not just for what she did on the court, but for the way she carried herself through the ups and downs of life. Whether it was basketball, coaching, or her personal life, she’s shown folks that no matter where you come from, with enough grit and determination, you can make a name for yourself. She didn’t let the tough times hold her back—she just kept moving forward, one step at a time. And if that ain’t something worth remembering, I don’t know what is.
So, here’s to Erica Taylor—a woman who’s been through it all and still stands tall. She might not be the biggest name in the WNBA, but in her own way, she’s made a lasting impact, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Tags: [Erica Taylor, WNBA, Washington Mystics, Basketball, Louisiana Tech, Female Athletes, Coaching Career, Women’s Basketball, Jermain Taylor, West Memphis]
