Taylor Coppenrath
Encyclopedia
Taylor Burton Coppenrath (born November 8, 1981) is a professional basketball player currently playing for Menorca Bàsquet in Spanish Liga LEB
.
where he did not play for the varsity basketball team until his junior year. However, he went on to be the Vermont
Player of the Year by Gatorade and USA Today.
. After his redshirt
freshman year, he led UVM to three straight America East Conference
titles. At the end of his college career, he was Vermont's second all-time leading scorer in total points (2,442) and points per game (21.4). He was also the university's all-time leader in field goals made (851), and was fourth in rebounding (839) and blocked shots (83). He is one of two players, along with Reggie Lewis
, to win three America East Conference Player of the Year awards. Coppenrath also matched a record held by Vin Baker
with 14 America East Player of the Week awards.
During his junior year Coppenrath and the Catamounts were in contention for the America East regular season championship when he discovered that his wrist was broken following a loss to Boston University
. BU went on to win the regular season crown, but Coppenrath led Vermont over Maine in the conference title game to send UVM to the NCAA tournament. The title game, which was held at UVM's Patrick Gym and televised nationally, was Coppenrath's first game back from the wrist injury. Notwithstanding a brace which he wore throughout the game, Taylor delivered a 43-point performance, and was named the most valuable player of the conference tournament.
In his senior year, Coppenrath was a finalist for many NCAA awards, including the John Wooden Award. That season (2004–2005) was the most successful in Vermont men's basketball history. After capturing the Conference title, the team defeated Syracuse University
for its first NCAA Tournament
victory ever. Coppenrath scored 16 points in the game.
Coppenrath tried out for the Vermont Frost Heaves
, an ABA team based in his home state, but elected to play internationally instead.
Coppenraths's father George R. Coppenrath
was a Republican
member of the Vermont State Senate
.
in Italian Serie A
. He was raised in West Barnet
, Vermont
.
On 2007, he moves to Spain to play for CB Lucentum Alicante
from 2007–08 to 2008–09,, for Melilla Baloncesto
in 2009–10 and CB Murcia
in 2010–11, becoming with this last team champion of the LEB Oro
, the league he always played in Spain.
On 2011, he signed for Menorca Bàsquet.
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
.
Early life
Coppenrath went to high school at St. Johnsbury AcademySt. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy is an independent, private, coeducational, non-profit boarding and day school located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA, enrolling students in grades 9-12. It was founded in 1842 by Thaddeus Fairbanks, and accepts the majority of its students through one of the nation's oldest...
where he did not play for the varsity basketball team until his junior year. However, he went on to be the Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
Player of the Year by Gatorade and USA Today.
College career
Coppenrath then went to play for the University of VermontUniversity of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
. After his redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman year, he led UVM to three straight America East Conference
America East Conference
The America East Conference is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located mainly in the northeastern United States. The conference was known as the ECAC North from 1979 to 1988 and the North Atlantic Conference from the fall semester of 1988 to the end of the spring...
titles. At the end of his college career, he was Vermont's second all-time leading scorer in total points (2,442) and points per game (21.4). He was also the university's all-time leader in field goals made (851), and was fourth in rebounding (839) and blocked shots (83). He is one of two players, along with Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
, to win three America East Conference Player of the Year awards. Coppenrath also matched a record held by Vin Baker
Vin Baker
Vincent Lamont Baker is a former American professional basketball player who played in the NBA. He appeared in four consecutive All-Star Games before his career was halted due to alcoholism....
with 14 America East Player of the Week awards.
During his junior year Coppenrath and the Catamounts were in contention for the America East regular season championship when he discovered that his wrist was broken following a loss to Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. BU went on to win the regular season crown, but Coppenrath led Vermont over Maine in the conference title game to send UVM to the NCAA tournament. The title game, which was held at UVM's Patrick Gym and televised nationally, was Coppenrath's first game back from the wrist injury. Notwithstanding a brace which he wore throughout the game, Taylor delivered a 43-point performance, and was named the most valuable player of the conference tournament.
In his senior year, Coppenrath was a finalist for many NCAA awards, including the John Wooden Award. That season (2004–2005) was the most successful in Vermont men's basketball history. After capturing the Conference title, the team defeated Syracuse University
Syracuse Orange men's basketball
The Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
for its first NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
victory ever. Coppenrath scored 16 points in the game.
Coppenrath tried out for the Vermont Frost Heaves
Vermont Frost Heaves
The Vermont Frost Heaves were a professional basketball team in Vermont, United States that last played in the Premier Basketball League, last coached by Joe Salerno. The formation of the team was announced in December, 2005 by founding owner Alexander Wolff, a Cornwall, Vermont resident and...
, an ABA team based in his home state, but elected to play internationally instead.
Coppenraths's father George R. Coppenrath
George R. Coppenrath
George R. Coppenrath was a Republican member of the Vermont State Senate, representing the Caledonia senate district.George Coppenrath was appointed by Governor James Douglas to the Vermont State Senate on April 12, 2005 to serve out remainder of the term of Senator Julius D. Canns, who had died on...
was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Vermont State Senate
Vermont Senate
The Vermont Senate is the upper house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Senate consists of 30 members. Senate districting divides the 30 members into three single-member districts, six two-member districts, three three-member districts, and one...
.
European Career
On 2006–07, he was playing in Pallacanestro BiellaPallacanestro Biella
-Notable players :-Sponsorship names:In the past, due to sponsorship deals, it has also been known as:*Fila Biella *Lauretana Biella . For the 2009–10 season,*Lauretana Biella Eurocup-External links:* *...
in Italian Serie A
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
. He was raised in West Barnet
Barnet, Vermont
Barnet is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,690 at the 2000 census. Barnet contains the locations of Barnet Center, East Barnet, McIndoe Falls, Mosquitoville, Passumpsic and West Barnet.-Geography:...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
On 2007, he moves to Spain to play for CB Lucentum Alicante
CB Lucentum Alicante
Club Baloncesto Lucentum Alicante is a professional basketball team based in Alicante, Valencian Community. Lucentum Alicante is member of the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto .-Sponsorship naming:...
from 2007–08 to 2008–09,, for Melilla Baloncesto
Melilla Baloncesto
Club Melilla Baloncesto are a professional basketball team based in Melilla that plays in the LEB league. This is the only team in Spain that played all LEB seasons....
in 2009–10 and CB Murcia
CB Murcia
Club Baloncesto Murcia, S.A.D., also known as UCAM Murcia by sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain. The team plays in ACB...
in 2010–11, becoming with this last team champion of the LEB Oro
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
, the league he always played in Spain.
On 2011, he signed for Menorca Bàsquet.