Wade Taylor IV '25
Aggie Basketball guard reflects on journey to Texas A&M and shares gratitude for supporters who made it possible
Olin Buchanan
Hard work, dedication and gratitude - these are the values that drive Texas A&M basketball standout Wade Taylor IV on and off the court.
For Taylor, hard work is a family legacy. His father, Wade Taylor III, a retired parole officer, and his mother, Sheila, a physical education teacher, instilled the importance of a strong work ethic from an early age.
“Seeing my mom and dad get ready for work every day and handle their responsibilities so that my sisters and I could have everything we wanted really meant a lot to me,” Taylor said. “That has always stayed with me.
“Now, it's my turn. It's time for me to wake up and take care of my business every day."
Taylor has worked tirelessly to achieve his goals at Texas A&M, from earning a college scholarship to becoming one of the premier players in the Southeastern Conference.
While leading A&M to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, Taylor became the only student-athlete in program history to earn All-SEC first-team honors twice.
The Dallas native entered the 2024-25 season holding 13 season school records with more than 30 career school and SEC Tournament records within reach. Over the past two seasons, he's been the only DI player with 500 or more points, 100 or more assists and 60 or more steals.
“I would say I am a hard worker,” Taylor said. “I try to be the best I can every day. I just want to be the person everybody can rely on.”
Taylor's commitment is not confined to the basketball court. In May 2024, he earned his communication degree from Texas A&M after just three years on campus. Now, he's pursuing a master's in recreation and youth development, with an ambitious goal of completing it in just one year, all while competing at the highest level of college basketball.
“Having the opportunity to be on a scholarship here, come to a great facility to play basketball and also have great academics, there is nothing else I could ask for. The support 12th Man Foundation donors give us on a daily basis is truly appreciated.”
“Balancing academics, athletics and the demands of being a student-athlete is not easy, but it is truly fulfilling,” Taylor said. “My drive to excel both academically and athletically is what pushes me to take on these challenges.”
Basketball is a tradition for the Taylor family. Sheila played collegiately at West Texas State, and Taylor's older sister, Kennedy, set the Sun Belt Conference career assists record at Texas State University. Watching his sister succeed set a high standard that helped fuel Taylor's own drive to excel.
“He has loved to compete ever since he was very young,” said Wade Taylor III, who played football at Midwestern State University. “A lot of that, I have to give credit to his sister. With her being three years older than him, he just watched what she did, and he wanted to be better than her. To be better than her, there were certain standards to live up to. He was always in the gym because she was always in the gym.”
Following an outstanding career at Lancaster High School, the only question about Taylor was which college gym would become his next home.
SMU recruited him heavily. So did Iowa State and Virginia Tech. Texas A&M, though, always had an advantage. His grandmother lives in Madisonville, Texas, so throughout his youth there were frequent trips to Aggieland just 40 minutes down the road.
Taylor had already seen enough of Texas A&M to know Reed Arena was the gym for him.
“This was always the spot for me,” Taylor said. “I fell in love with the traditions, the family values and what it means to be an Aggie. My granny is right up the street. My family is right up the street. They can always come see me play. It has been the best decision I have made in my life.”
While he could have excelled anywhere, Taylor knows his scholarship to Texas A&M has been life-changing. At the 12th Man Foundation's Cheers to 75 Years event in August 2024, Taylor shared his gratitude with many of the loyal supporters who help make it all possible.
“Having the opportunity to be on a scholarship here, come to a great facility to play basketball and also have great academics — there is nothing else I could ask for,” Taylor said. “The support 12th Man Foundation donors give us on a daily basis is truly appreciated.”
NIL opportunities have also made a meaningful impact on Taylor's life — and on the lives of those around him.
“One of the most meaningful impacts of NIL has been on my family,” Taylor said. “Thanks to my NIL opportunities, I have been able to help support their travel expenses and ensure they can attend every single game for my final season at Texas A&M. Their presence at Reed Arena fuels my performance and reminds me why I work so hard.”
Taylor has made the most of his opportunities and his platform to give back through the 4 Wade Taylor Foundation. He founded the nonprofit organization to empower youth through programs focused on mental health, leadership development, and financial literacy. In July 2024, the foundation hosted its second annual backpack drive in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley.
“It has always been my dream to make a positive impact on the community in a meaningful way,” Taylor said. “Thanks in large part to the funds I've received through NIL, we were able to provide 120 kids with new backpacks, along with gift cards, laptops and tablets. Seeing the excitement on those kids' faces is a feeling I will never forget. It's incredibly rewarding to see how NIL can have a positive impact beyond just my own life.”
On the court, Taylor remains driven by hard work, dedication and gratitude as he strives to finish his remarkable college career on a high note.
“We have some unfinished business on the court,” he said. “I came back for my senior year because I love this game, I love this team and I love this school. I could not be more excited to compete with these guys one last time.”