Taylor Rochestie

Classroom

A Pacific-10 All-Academic First Team honoree in 2007-09, Taylor Rochestie held a 3.27 grade point average following his junior season. He is majoring in communication.

Character

Rochestie transferred from Tulane University following an knee injury after Hurricane Katrina hit prior to his sophomore season (2005-06). Rochestie joined the Cougars as a redshirt sophomore for the 2006-07 season. During his junior year he announced that he would give up his scholarship so that WSU could sign another player to an NLI. He was awarded with a scholarship this past summer, when two players transferred. Last season Rochestie was one of 14 finalists for the V Foundation Comeback of the Year Award.

Coach Bennett about Taylor:
“Taylor wants to win as badly as anybody. He embodies a team player with his willingness to give up his scholarship last year and become a walk-on in his senior year to help out the program and add another player. Fortunately we were able to give it back to Taylor. The last couple of years he was in a role where he really distributed the ball and set up the Derrick Lows and Kyle Weavers and this year he’s trying to be more assertive and take on a more scoring role. He’s still finding his way, but is all about the team. He’s an excellent student, he does a lot in the community, is involved with Athletes in Action and is a real people person. He cares deeply, and again has great leadership. He has the players over to his house a lot and has just taken them under his wing. It’s no coincidence that since he arrived here and started playing, the last two years have been terrific. I really thought he tied things together, giving us a great lead guard, really helping our seniors last year and added a great weapon. He’s had some huge games and is a very clutch player. This year we’re looking for more of the same. “

Community

Rochestie has volunteered in the community on numerous occasion. On top of that, he has worked with a local organization encouraging children to read. Rochestie is a familar face at local events, such as Pullman High School football and basketball games.

Competition

One of the most efficient point guards in the country, Rochestie ranked 10th in the nation last year with a 2.81 assists/turnover ratio. He currently ranks on WSU’s all-time list in 3-point field goal percentage (third-.423), free throw percentage (10th-.794), assists (14th-231) and 3-point field goals made (19th). He holds the school record for minutes played in a season with 1,223 minutes played in 2007-08.