Aug. 20, 2007

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri Head Basketball Coach Mike Anderson continued to upgrade his team's size and toughness in the backcourt on Monday when he announced that Zaire Taylor (Staten Island, N.Y. / Charis Prep) has signed a scholarship agreement to play for the Tigers.

A transfer from the University of Delaware, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Taylor will sit out the 2007-08 campaign per NCAA transfer guidelines and will be classified as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining for the 2008-09 season.

"We are certainly happy to have Zaire come aboard," Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He gives us size and depth in the backcourt, along with versatility both offensively and defensively. We feel like he can develop into a defensive stopper for our program, a guy who can guard another team's top perimeter scorer. We liked Zaire's athleticism and above all, we feel like he is a player that does all the little things that can help a team be successful."

A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Taylor played in 14 games for the Blue Hens as a sophomore, averaging 10.3 points and 4.9 boards. His sophomore campaign was highlighted by a career high 30-point effort against Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 29, 2006, when he hit 11-of-18 field goals, while contributing seven boards, two assists and four steals. The 30-point outburst started a run of five-consecutive double-figure scoring games for Taylor, who played at the same prep school (Charis Prep, N.C.) as 2007-08 MU freshman signee Justin Safford. Overall, Taylor finished his sophomore season third on the team with his 10.3 ppg. scoring average and his 45.9 percent shooting from the floor and 38.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc ranked among team leaders. Taylor and the Blue Hens played in the same conference as 2007 NCAA Tournament Cinderella story Virginia Commonwealth and in a match-up between the two clubs on Dec. 20, Taylor held VCU leader and Team USA member (Pan American Games) Eric Maynor to just seven points on 1-of-5 shooting.

"I'm definitely excited to be a Missouri Tiger," Zaire Taylor said. "It's a blessing that Coach Anderson and Coach Watkins gave me this opportunity. They showed a lot of faith in me to help this basketball team and that's what I plan on doing. It's a great feeling to be on campus and be a Tiger."

The versatile guard enjoyed a strong freshman campaign for Delaware in 2005-06, earning Colonial Athletics Association All-Rookie honors with averages of 6.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25 starts (30 games). Known for his passing ability and defensive prowess, Taylor led Delaware with 112 assists (3.7 apg.) and 68 steals (2.3 spg.) and his 3.3 steals per contest paced all Colonial Athletics Association performers. Taylor opened his freshman season with 22 points against The Citadel, the most ever by a Delaware freshman in his debut and the sixth-highest scoring total by a UD freshman in school history. Taylor was also named CAA Rookie of the Week on Jan. 3, 2006, and later scored 17 points, grabbed a career high eight boards, had five assists and four steals against Drexel on Feb. 11.

Taylor averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game at Charis Prep in Goldsboro, N.C., while playing for head coach Carlos Peralta. Taylor helped the Crimson Tide to a 29-7 overall record in 2004-05 and a Top 15 national prep school ranking by Scout.com. Taylor opened his high school career at Curtis High School in Staten Island. Taylor was selected to the New York Daily News' All-Borough First Team as a senior and named a Staten Island Advance All-State.

Taylor is the first New York native to sign with Missouri since Derrick Chievous in 1984-85.