Scotsman Obituaries: Robert Taft, eminent basketball player and coach

Robert Taft, basketball player and coach. Born: February 10 1956 in Greenock. Died: February 4 2022 in Paisley, aged 65

The death of Bob Taft, following a short but valiant battle against cancer has been keenly felt across the basketball community in Scotland. Bob was a good player; not quite international class, but, in a long career with several clubs, he garnered a reputation as a hard but fair defender and a shooter, particularly from a distance, who could keep the scoreboard ticking over.

However, his true legacy is as a coach, particularly of younger players. Bob's disciples are still active in the game in Scotland. He had the knack of instilling a love of the game and an appreciation of its history and qualities into the kids he encouraged, at club level and through his work as a coach of Scotland teams, from age group sides up to the full national squad.

He was still playing, right up to having to quit because of his final illness. Bob was a key member of the Strathclyde and Scotland Masters squads – still pounding the boards, new knees and all, at 65 and playing in Masters tournaments in the UK and abroad.

Robert Taft was born in Greenock, the eldest of six children. His father, also Robert, was a window cleaner and times were hard. Bob shone academically at the Mount School in Greenock, and it was there his love of basketball was fostered, winning his first local trophy as an 11-year-old, before going on to play for Greenock Pacers and Inverclyde.

His teachers reckoned Robert had the brains to go on to higher education, but the needs of the family saw him leave school at 15 to become an apprentice welder in Scott Lithgow's Glen Shipyard. He served his time and was by all accounts a “bloody good welder”.

However