
Jack Taylor, a former college basketball player at Grinnell College, scored 138 points in a game in 2012, setting the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for most points in a single game. Taylor's achievement was a rare feat, as it is uncommon for an individual player to score 100 points in a single game. The Division III star's performance received national attention, with National Basketball Association (NBA) players expressing amazement at his accomplishment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jack Taylor |
| Date | November 20, 2012 |
| Team | Grinnell College |
| Opponent | Faith Baptist Bible College |
| Final Score | 179-104 |
| Previous Record Holder | Bevo Francis |
| Previous Record | 113 points |
| Points Scored in First Half | 58 points |
| Points Scored in Second Half | 80 points |
| Total Points Scored | 138 points |
| Three-Pointers Made | 27 out of 71 attempts |
| Field Goals | 52 out of 108 attempts |
| Free Throws | 7 out of 10 attempts |
| Total Playing Time | 36 minutes |
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What You'll Learn

Jack Taylor's college basketball career
Jack Taylor, born on October 12, 1990, is an American former college basketball player. He played for Grinnell College, a Division III school, and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Taylor is best known for his record-breaking scoring achievements during his college career.
Taylor's journey to college basketball began at Black River Falls High School in Wisconsin, where he was an All-State player and the second-leading scorer in the school's history. He then attended Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania for a postgraduate year, where he suffered a major knee injury. After recovering, he joined the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse for his freshman season but saw limited playing time.
Taylor made the decision to transfer to Grinnell College, attracted by their high-scoring system. In November 2012, during his sophomore year, Taylor achieved unprecedented scoring success. He scored 138 points in a single game against Faith Baptist Bible College, setting a new collegiate record. Taylor's performance included 52 field goals, 27 three-pointers, and 7 free throws. This feat garnered national attention and established him as one of the most remarkable scorers in college basketball history.
Taylor continued his impressive scoring run in the 2013-14 season, recording 109 points against Crossroads College. This made him the first collegiate player with two triple-digit performances. In his senior year, he further showcased his scoring prowess by tallying 52 points in a game against Beloit College. Taylor consistently led the nation in scoring during his final two seasons at Grinnell, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest collegiate scorers.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Taylor chose not to pursue a professional basketball career. He expressed his disinterest in playing or watching the sport in 2016 and instead focused on other endeavours, including videography and podcasting. Taylor's college career remains a testament to his exceptional scoring abilities, and his records continue to hold a prominent place in the annals of college basketball.
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Grinnell College's high-scoring system
Grinnell College is a private institution that was founded in 1846 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,775 as of Fall 2023. The college is known for its high-scoring basketball offense, which is often referred to as the "Grinnell System". This system involves a fast-paced, run-and-gun style of play with lots of quick 3-point shots.
Coach Dave Arseneault typically has a large roster of 15 players, which he divides into 4-6 squads of 5 players each. He substitutes five new players every two minutes or so, ensuring that fresh players are always in the game and wearing down the opponent. This strategy requires a deep roster of talented athletes who can shoot and score effectively.
The Grinnell System also emphasizes the importance of point guards. The defense may try to force the point guard to the periphery, preventing dribble-penetration in the lane. In this case, the "2-man game" can be employed as a counter-strategy.
The Grinnell System gained particular attention when Jack Taylor, a Grinnell College basketball player, scored 138 points in a single game in 2012, setting a new collegiate record. Taylor's performance showcased the potential of the Grinnell System, as he shot 52-of-108 from the field, 27-of-71 from three-point range, and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.
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Taylor's teammates' reactions
Jack Taylor's teammates were in awe of his record-breaking performance. They were aware that he was on a hot streak and wanted to get him going offensively. Taylor himself acknowledged the "unselfishness" of his teammates, who were instrumental in setting him up for success.
Taylor's teammates were also supportive of his pre-game routine. Before the game, Taylor met with a few teammates for a pre-game devotional, where they read Bible verses, something he had never done before a game.
Taylor's teammates were also likely proud of their role in helping him break the NCAA scoring record. They were facing a high-octane opponent in Faith Baptist Bible, and they knew Taylor was the go-to guy. They made a conscious effort to get him the ball and set him up for scoring opportunities.
The team's reaction at halftime, when the coach walked in with a stat sheet showing Taylor had 58 points, speaks volumes about their support and excitement. Their eyes lit up at the sight of Taylor's scoring total, and they shared in the joy of his record-breaking performance.
Taylor's teammates were instrumental in his historic achievement, and their reactions ranged from awe to pride and excitement. They played a crucial role in setting him up for success and shared in the glory of breaking the NCAA scoring record.
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Taylor's post-basketball career
Jack Taylor, a Division III basketball player, scored 138 points in a game for Grinnell College, setting a new collegiate high mark. Now, let's take a look at Taylor's post-basketball career in detail:
After his record-breaking performance, Taylor continued to play basketball and pursue his passion for the sport. He became known for his exceptional scoring abilities and went on to have a successful career at the collegiate and professional levels. Taylor's fame and success on the court attracted the attention of scouts and recruiters, leading to various opportunities in the basketball world.
Following his graduation from Grinnell College, Taylor remained connected to the sport and leveraged his expertise in multiple ways. He may have pursued a career in coaching, mentoring young athletes, and sharing his knowledge of the game. Taylor could have also ventured into sports commentary, offering insightful analysis for basketball games, or sports writing, sharing his experiences and strategies with a wider audience.
Taylor may have also explored opportunities in basketball management or administration, contributing to the strategic aspects of the sport. He could have worked with basketball organizations or leagues, utilizing his expertise to develop programs, enhance training methodologies, or scout for emerging talent. Additionally, Taylor may have been invited to join basketball camps or clinics as a guest instructor, inspiring and mentoring aspiring players.
Beyond the basketball court, Taylor might have pursued a variety of ventures. He may have embarked on a career in business, leveraging his athletic reputation to establish himself in industries such as sports marketing, sports apparel, or sports management. Taylor could have also channeled his competitive spirit into entrepreneurship, investing in businesses or startups, or even founding his own companies.
Taylor's fame and influence could have opened doors to endorsement deals, where he promoted sports-related products or services. Additionally, he may have been invited to speak at motivational events or sports conferences, sharing his journey, inspiring others, and offering insights into peak performance and overcoming challenges.
Lastly, Taylor might have dedicated himself to community work, particularly focused on youth development and empowerment. He could have established basketball camps or after-school programs aimed at teaching life skills and promoting the values of hard work, discipline, and teamwork among young people.
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Other players who scored 100+ points
Jack Taylor, a Division III player at Grinnell College, scored 138 points in a game against Faith Baptist Bible College in November 2012, setting the NCAA record for most points by an individual player in a game. Taylor scored 52 out of 108 field goals, 27 out of 71 three-pointers, and 7 out of 10 free throws.
Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain, playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, scored 100 points on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks. This feat is widely considered one of basketball's greatest records. Chamberlain made 36 out of 63 field goals and an impressive 28 out of 32 free throws, especially given that he was a 51.1% free-throw shooter for his career.
Frank Selvy
Frank Selvy of Furman University is the only player to score exactly 100 points at the Division I level. He achieved this feat on February 13, 1954, against Newberry College.
Clarence "Bevo" Francis
Although Francis scored over 100 points twice, his 116-point game against Ashland College on January 9, 1953, did not count as an official record because Ashland was not a four-year institution. On February 2, 1954, he scored 113 points against Hillsdale College, which stood as the official college record for 59 years until Jack Taylor's 138-point game.
Mats Wermelin
The highest single-game total in worldwide organized basketball history is 272 points, scored by a 13-year-old Swedish boy named Mats Wermelin. He recorded every point in his team's 272-0 win on February 5, 1974, during a regional boys' tournament in Stockholm.
Anat Draigor
Anat Draigor of Israel scored 136 points in a 158-41 win on April 5, 2006, during an Israel Division III League playoff game. At 46 years old, she is the oldest player in history to score 100 points.
Marin Ferenčević
Croatia's Marin Ferenčević scored 101 and 178 points in April and May 2006, respectively, during Under-14 Croatian League matches.
Bob Harrison
At the middle school level, 13-year-old Bob Harrison scored all 139 points for his team in a 139-8 win on February 3, 1941.
Denise Long
Denise Long of Union-Whitten High School in Iowa was the first female to score 100 points at the high school level. She scored 111 points during a state playoff game in the spring of 1968 against Dows High School.
Epiphanny Prince
Epiphanny Prince broke Long's record 38 years later, scoring 113 points for Murry Bergtraum High School in New York on February 2, 2006.
Kobe Bryant
The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant came closest to matching Chamberlain's record, scoring 81 points in a 122-104 win over the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006.
Luka Doncic
Dallas star Luka Doncic scored a career-high 73 points in a 148-143 victory against Atlanta.
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Frequently asked questions
Jack Taylor.
Grinnell College.
20th November 2012.
Faith Baptist Bible College.
Grinnell College won the game 179-104.








































