Former West High Guard Signs with Jackets (4/23/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings men’s basketball coach Craig Carse announced Monday that former Billings West High School standout Brett Taylor has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Yellowjackets.  Taylor graduated from West in 2006.  He attended Montana State University in Bozeman for one year.

“We are excited to have Brett join our university and program,” said Carse.  “He is a quality student-athlete.  He has participated in our camps and clinics since he was in grade school.  I can not think of another person that could enter our program with a better understanding of our philosophy.  Brett is competitive with an aggressive attitude and possesses a will to win.  He is one of those people that, given an opportunity, is destined to succeed.”

The 5-foot-8 guard lettered three times for the Golden Bears.  Taylor was a first team all-conference and all-state selection as both a junior and senior.  He was named the Golden Bears’ MVP and selected to the Montana-Wyoming All-Star Game as a senior.  In his last two seasons, West High won two AA Eastern Conference titles.

As a senior, Taylor averaged 15 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game to help West HS reach the Class AA state tournament.  He made 66 three-pointers and shot 39.8 percent from behind the arc.  In his junior season, Taylor averaged 13.7 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals.  He made 67 three-pointers, shooting 45 percent from long range.  West High finished second at the state tournament in Taylor’s junior year.

“I chose to come to MSU Billings so I can get a good education and play basketball,” said Taylor.  “I think it will be good for me here because there is a good business program, and that’s what I plan to major in.  It’s also a plus that I’ll be back in my hometown again and be able to be around people I know and have known.  I want to come here because I think it will be a good experience.”