< PreviousYear Rnd Pick Name Team 1947 Jack Tingle Washington Capitols 1948 Joe Holland Baltimore Bullets Jack Parkinson Washington Capitols Kenny Rollins Fort Wayne Pistons 1949 Cliff Barker Indianapolis Olympians Ralph Beard Chicago Stags Alex Groza Indianapolis Olympians Wah Wah Jones Washington Capitols 1950 Dale Barnstable Boston Celtics Jim Line Indianapolis Olympians 1952 Bobby Watson Milwaukee Hawks Lucian Whitaker Indianapolis Olympians 1953 Cliff Hagan Boston Celtics Frank Ramsey Boston Celtics Lou Tsioropoulos Boston Celtics 1955 5 34 Bill Evans Rochester Royals 1956 Jerry Bird Minneapolis Lakers Bob Burrow Rochester Royals Phil Grawemeyer Minneapolis Lakers 1957 10 73 Jerry Calvert Philadelphia Warriors 1958 2 10 Vernon Hatton Cincinnati Royals 4 37 Johnny Cox* New York Knicks 15 86 Adrian Smith Cincinnati Royals 1959 4 30 Johnny Cox* New York Knicks 1960 4 32 Sid Cohen Boston Celtics 6 48 Roger Newman* Boston Celtics 7 53 Bennie Coffman Syracuse Nationals 18 92 Don Mills Cincinnati Royals 1961 5 45 Billy Ray Lickert Los Angeles Lakers 5 64 Roger Newman* Syracuse Nationals 13 102 Ned Jennings New York Knicks 1962 8 61 Larry Pursiful Chicago Zephyrs 1964 2 12 Cotton Nash Los Angeles Lakers 1966 3 24 Tommy Kron St. Louis Hawks 1967 1 7 Pat Riley San Diego Rockets 4 38 Louie Dampier Cincinnati Royals 1968 5 60 Thad Jaracz Boston Celtics 9 119 Cliff Berger Milwaukee Bucks 1969 10 139 Phil Argento Los Angeles Lakers 1970 8 122 Dan Issel Detroit Pistons 8 130 Mike Casey Chicago Bulls 1971 1 2 Tom Payne** Atlanta Hawks 3 37 Larry Steele Portland Trail Blazers 10 163 Jim Dinwiddie Philadelphia 76ers 1972 6 83 Tom Parker Cleveland Cavaliers 10 146 Kent Hollenbeck Detroit Pistons 1973 7 107 Jim Andrews Seattle Supersonics 1975 1 18 Kevin Grevey Washington Bullets 2 36 Jimmy Dan Conner Phoenix Suns 3 49 Bob Guyette K.C.-Omaha Kings 7 113 Mike Flynn Philadelphia 76ers 1977 2 24 Larry Johnson Buffalo Braves 1978 1 3 Rick Robey Indiana Pacers 1 16 Jack Givens Atlanta Hawks 2 39 James Lee Seattle Supersonics 3 45 Mike Phillips New Jersey Nets 1979 1 22 Kyle Macy Phoenix Suns 6 111 Truman Claytor Detroit Pistons 1980 5 101 LaVon Williams Cleveland Cavaliers 9 183 Jay Shidler Chicago Bulls 1981 6 127 Fred Cowan Houston Rockets 1982 7 145 Chuck Verderber Chicago Bulls 1983 2 33 Dirk Minniefield Dallas Mavericks 3 67 Derrick Hord Cleveland Cavaliers 6 134 Charles Hurt Milwaukee Bucks 1984 1 2 Sam Bowie Portland Trail Blazers 1 6 Melvin Turpin Washington Bullets 4 81 Dickey Beal Atlanta Hawks 6 127 Jim Master Atlanta Hawks 8 163 Tom Heitz Indiana Pacers 1986 1 5 Kenny Walker New York Knicks 5 115 Roger Harden Los Angeles Lakers 1987 5 94 James Blackmon New Jersey Nets 1988 1 8 Rex Chapman Charlotte Hornets 3 51 Rob Lock Los Angeles Clippers 3 60 Ed Davender Washington Bullets 3 64 Winston Bennett Cleveland Cavaliers 1993 1 4 Jamal Mashburn Dallas Mavericks 1994 2 31 Rodney Dent Orlando Magic 1996 1 6 Antoine Walker Boston Celtics 1 16 Tony Delk Charlotte Hornets 1 19 Walter McCarty New York Knicks 2 52 Mark Pope Indiana Pacers 1997 1 6 Ron Mercer Boston Celtics 1 13 Derek Anderson Cleveland Cavaliers 1998 1 29 Nazr Mohammed Utah Jazz 1999 1 28 Scott Padgett Utah Jazz 2000 1 19 Jamaal Magloire Charlotte Hornets 2002 1 23 Tayshaun Prince Detroit Pistons 2003 2 43 Keith Bogans Milwaukee Bucks 2006 1 21 Rajon Rondo Phoenix Suns 2008 2 58 Joe Crawford Los Angeles Lakers 2009 2 41 Jodie Meeks Milwaukee Bucks 2010 1 1 John Wall Washington Wizards 1 5 DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 1 14 Patrick Patterson Houston Rockets 1 18 Eric Bledsoe Oklahoma City Thunder 1 29 Daniel Orton Orlando Magic 2011 1 3 Enes Kanter Utah Jazz 1 8 Brandon Knight Detroit Pistons 2 45 Josh Harrellson New Orleans Hornets 2 53 DeAndre Liggins Orlando Magic 2012 1 1 Anthony Davis New Orleans Hornets 1 2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Charlotte Bobcats 1 18 Terrence Jones Houston Rockets 1 29 Marquis Teague Chicago Bulls 2 42 Doron Lamb Milwaukee Bucks 2 46 Darius Miller New Orleans Hornets 2013 1 6 Nerlens Noel New Orleans Pelicans 1 29 Archie Goodwin Oklahoma City Thunder 2014 1 7 Julius Randle Los Angeles Lakers 1 17 James Young Boston Celtics 2015 1 1 Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves 1 6 Willie Cauley-Stein Sacramento Kings 1 12 Trey Lyles Utah Jazz 1 13 Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 2 44 Andrew Harrison Phoenix Suns 2 48 Dakari Johnson Oklahoma City Thunder 2016 1 7 Jamal Murray Denver Nuggets 1 28 Skal Labissiere Phoenix Suns 2 34 Tyler Ulis Phoenix Suns 2017 1 5 De’Aaron Fox Sacramento Kings 1 11 Malik Monk Charlotte Hornets 1 14 Bam Adebayo Miami Heat 2018 1 9 Kevin Knox New York Knicks 1 11 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Charlotte Hornets 2 41 Jarred Vanderbilt Orlando Magic 2 45 Hamidou Diallo Brooklyn Nets 2019 1 12 PJ Washington Charlotte Hornets 1 13 Tyler Herro Miami Heat 1 29 Keldon Johnson San Antonio Spurs 2020 1 21 Tyrese Maxey Philadelphia 76ers 1 25 Immanuel Quickley Oklahoma City Thunder 2 42 Nick Richards New Orleans Pelicans 2021 1 22 Isaiah Jackson Los Angeles Lakers 2 51 Brandon Boston Memphis Grizzlies 2022 1 7 Shaedon Sharpe Portland Trail Blazers 1 29 TyTy Washington Houston Rockets 2023 1 10 Cason Wallace Dallas Mavericks 2 58 Chris Livingston Milwaukee Bucks 2024 1 3 Reed Sheppard Houston Rockets 1 8 Rob Dillingham San Antonio Spurs 2 47 Antonio Reeves Orlando Magic *-1st instance of name signifies junior-eligible draft **- Selected second overall in 1971 NBA supplemental hardship draft 98 @KentuckyMBB Kentucky in the NBA Draft859-309-1700 | www.kycancerlink.org We reduce barriers to screening, diagnosis, or treatment for cancer in Kentucky. Our goal is to be a link to hope. www.bayoubluegrass.com Trevor Johnson Partner trevorjohnson@bayoubluegrass.com Office: (859) 523-7915 Cell: (859) 619-6420 861 South Broadway Lexington, KY 40504 Jeff Baier Director of Business Development jbaier@kentuckyunderground.com (859) 983-1543kentuckyunderground.com 1225 V ERSAILLES R OAD L EXINGTON , KY 40508 1-800-ARAMARK thomas-eric1@aramark.com www.aramark.com E RIC T HOMAS G ENERAL M ANAGER STOCKYARDS Cattles Sales Monday & Tuesday, 9:00 AM Cow Sales 4th Wednesday, 6:30 PM 4561 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40511 859-255-7701 JEREMY SHRYOCK, MANAGER Ronnie Sullivan 859-509-5106 r.sullivan@rocketmail.com Ronnie Sullivan 859-509-5106 r.sullivan@rocketmail.com 744 Richmond Ave • Nicholasville, KY 40356 Office: 859-887-4311 • Fax: 859-881-4613 744 Richmond Ave • Nicholasville, KY 40356 Office: 859-887-4311 • Fax: 859-881-4613 TOOLING • PROTOTYPING • FIXUTRES • CNC MACHINING • FABRICATION Oram's Florist oramflowers.com Anne Oram & Susan O. 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President Trusted AV Integrator for the University Technology and Electrical Services Since 1910 Call For Inquiry 502-297-8525 | Sales@BlandServices.com www.blandservices.com COMPANY, INC. MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS SPECIALIZING IN INDUSTRIAL PIPING, PLUMBING, HVAC & SERVICE T.C. (TOM) FINNEY PRESIDENT / CEO 1132 FINNEY DR. LEXINGTON, KY 40511 E-Mail: tom@finneycompany.net 8593-952 )958( XAF 9560-352 )958( enohP Mobile (859) 621-8153 Specializing in Concrete, Excavation, Site Development, Blasting and Utility Work Since 1982. (859) 339-9130 40 NATIONWIDE Installation, Paint & Sales sales@shuckfence.com 704 Mt. Eden Rd Shelbyville, KY 40065 Phone: 502-633-1300 Toll Free: 800-892-8807 Fax: 502-647-9033 CONTRACTORS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKYKentucky in the NCAA @UKSportsNetwork 101 K entucky has made 61 appearances in the NCAA Tournament — more than any other school. Kentucky has captured the NCAA title eight times. Through the years, the Wildcats have racked up an impressive 130-55 NCAA Tournament record. Totals n 61 appearances n Won 130, lost 55 n Eight NCAA championships n Four-time national runner-up n 17 Final Four appearances n 34 Elite Eight appearances Years in NCAA Tourney 1942-45-48-49-51-52-55-56-57-58-59-61- 62-64-66-68-69-70-71-72-73-75-77-78-80- 81-82-83-84-85-86-87-*-92-93-94-95-96- 97-98-99-2000-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08- 10-11-12-14-15-16-17-18-19-22-23-24. * 1988 appearance vacated as part of NCAA sanctions The Wildcats hold numerous records in NCAA play, both as a team and individually. Here are the NCAA records held by UK: Fewest Points Allowed (single game, since 1938) 6Kentucky (75) vs. Arkansas State, Jan. 8, 1945; and Tennessee (11) vs. Temple, Dec. 15, 1973 Fewest Field Goals (single game, since 1938) 2Arkansas State vs. Kentucky, Jan. 8, 1945; Duke vs. N.C. State, March 8, 1968 Most Rebounds (single game) 108Kentucky vs. Ole Miss, Feb. 8, 1964 Most Rebounds (season) 2,109Kentucky, 1951 (34 games) Most Consecutive Homecourt Victories 129Kentucky, from Jan. 4, 1943, to Jan. 8, 1955 (ended by Georgia Tech, 59-58) Unbeaten Teams (since 1938, UK is one of 12 schools) 1954Kentucky (25-0) 30-Game Winners (UK has registered more 30-game winning seasons, 16, more than any other school) 38Kentucky, 2012 (NCAA record) 38 Kentucky, 2015 (NCAA record) 36Kentucky, 1948 35Kentucky, 1997 Kentucky, 1998 Kentucky, 2010 34Kentucky, 1947 32Kentucky, 1949 Kentucky, 1951 Kentucky, 1986 Kentucky, 2003 Kentucky, 2017 30Kentucky, 1978 Kentucky, 1993 Kentucky, 1996 Kentucky, 2019 Most Wins by a Coach in his First Year at a School 35Tubby Smith, Kentucky, 1998 John Calipari, Kentucky, 2010 Won-Lost Pct. 1954 – 1.000 ..............................(25-0) 2015 – .974 ................................(38-1) 2012 – .950 ................................(38-2) 1978 – .938 ................................(30-2) 2010 – .921 ................................(35-3) 2003 – .889 ................................(32-4) Scoring Offense 1952 – 82.3 ppg Scoring Margin 1954 – 27.2 ppg ..............(87.5 – 60.3) 1952 – 26.9 ppg ..............(82.3 – 55.4) 1949 – 24.3 ppg ..............(68.2 – 43.9) 1951 – 22.2 ppg ..............(74.7 – 52.5) 1996 – 22.1 ppg ..............(91.4 – 69.4) 1997 – 20.3 ppg ..............(83.1 – 62.8) 2015 – 20.1 ppg ...............(74.4 - 54.3) 1995 – 18.4 ppg ..............(87.4 – 69.0) 2012 – 16.8 ppg ...............(77.4 - 60.6) 1957 – 14.8 ppg ..............(84.2 – 69.4) Rebounds 1951 – 2,109 FG Pct. 1983 – .556 3FG Made 1990 – 10.04 pg Assists 1996 – 21.8 pg 1997 – 19.4 pg Blocked Shots 2012 – 8.6 bpg FG Pct. Defense 2012 – 37.4 2015 – 35.4 NCAA Seasonal Statistical Champions KENTUCKY102 @KentuckyMBB Kentucky in the SEC SEC Championships TeamTitlesLast Title KENTUCKY492020 LSU112019 Tennessee112024 Alabama92023 Florida72014 Mississippi State62004 Auburn42022 Vanderbilt31993 Arkansas21994 Georgia11990 •Georgia Tech11938 South Carolina11997 Texas A&M12016 •Former SEC Member SEC Tournament Championships TeamTitlesLast Title KENTUCKY312018 Alabama82023 Tennessee52022 Florida42014 Auburn32024 Mississippi State32009 Georgia22008 Ole Miss22013 Vanderbilt22012 Arkansas12000 •Georgia Tech11938 LSU11980 •Former SEC Member SEC All-Time Standings Regular-Season Games Only 1933-2024 TeamYrs.WonLostPct.Titles KENTUCKY911,059312.77249 Alabama91853644.5709 Tennessee91802603.57111 Arkansas33290261.5262 Texas A&M12107101.5141 LSU92731718.50411 Vanderbilt92719711.5033 Florida91690691.4997 Auburn91667775.4634 Mississippi State91639825.4366 South Carolina33225325.4091 Georgia92574854.4021 Ole Miss91552891.3830 Missouri#1265140.3170 # Missouri’s 2013-14 wins were vacated by the NCAA Former Members Georgia Tech32201207.4931 Tulane34195252.4360 Sewanee8376.0380 NOTE: Sewanee withdrew after the 1940 season, Georgia Tech after the 1964 season and Tulane after the 1966 campaign. During World War II, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee suspended intercollegiate basketball for the 1944 season. Kentucky did not compete for the title during the 1953, 1989 and 1990 seasons due to NCAA suspension. 2015 SEC Tournament Champions859-356-8564 | Dianne@fieldswelding.com 149 Mullen Dr., Walton, KY 41094 Jeffrey L. 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Bob Eckler Commercial/Residential Sales 1501 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40505 859-299-7105 (Office) • 859-797-5732 (Cell) • beckler@mw.twcbc.com Construction, Upgrades, Major Repairs, and Maintenance of Cooling Tower Applications 1365 Commonwealth Drive Henderson, KY 42420 (270) 826-5028 contactus@precisioncoolingtowers.com www.precisioncoolingtowers.com Construction Manager | General Contractor | Design/Build Services Ashland | Lexington | Vanceburg www.tracecreek.net WE SPECIALIZE IN: PROJECT MANAGEMENT | CRANE WORK MACHINERY MOVING/RIGGING | FABRICATION | AND MORE VISIT AICUS.COM TO SEE ALL OF OUR CAPABILITIES 2004 Duncan Machinery Drive | Lexington, Kentucky 40504 (859) 233-7333 | www.aicus.com American Industrial Contractors, LLC CONTRACTORS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKYFeb. 18, 1903 State College (Kentucky) records its first win, an 11-10 decision over Lexington YMCA. The Wildcats finish the first season with a 1-2 record. Feb. 18, 1909 With a 28-23 win over Cincinnati, Kentucky clinches its first winning season in school history. Following a “Senior Day” loss to Central Uni- versity, the Wildcats end the year with a 5-4 record. January 1910 E. R. Sweetland signs a three-year pact as State’s director of athletics and its first basketball coach. Jan. 26, 1921 The Wildcats beat Cincinnati, 26-19, for their 100th victory in program history. March 1, 1912 Kentucky defeats Georgetown Col- lege, 19-18, to complete the season with a perfect 9-0 record and earn its first title as Southern champions. March 1, 1921 Kentucky upsets Tulane, Mercer, Mississippi A&M and Georgia to win the first Southern Intercolle- giate Athletic Association basketball championship. Hundreds of Wild- cats fans await “play-by-play” via telegraph and greet the team’s train with a celebration and parade in downtown Lexington. It is believed to be the first college basketball tournament ever played. Spring 1921 Basil Hayden becomes UK’s first All-America basketball player. Dec. 13, 1924 The Wildcats defeat Cincinnati in their first game in the new 2,800- seat, $100,000 Alumni Gymnasium. March 21, 1930 A Freeport, Illinois, high school coach named Adolph Rupp is named head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. Dec. 18, 1930 UK defeats Georgetown College, 67-19, for the first of Adolph Rupp’s 876 victories. Feb. 28, 1933 UK wins the first Southeastern Conference Tournament champion- ship by defeating Mississippi State, 46-27, in Atlanta. Feb. 17, 1934 UK establishes a national record with its 23rd consecutive win (47- 27 over Vanderbilt). Near riot erupts as fans vie for seats in Alumni Gym. Feb. 14, 1938 Joe Hagan’s 48-foot shot with 12 seconds left lifts the Wildcats over Marquette, 35-33. After the game, Gov. A. B. “Happy” Chandler pounds a nail into the floor to mark the spot where the shot was taken. March 20, 1942 After winning its sixth SEC champi- onship, UK wins its first NCAA Tour- nament game, 46-44, over Illinois. March 20, 1946 UK wins Rupp’s first national title with a 46-45 victory over Rhode Island. March 24, 1947 Before a Madison Square Garden record crowd of 18,493, Wat Misa- ka holds Ralph Beard to two points and Utah ends the Wildcats’ bid for back-to-back NIT championships. March 23, 1948 Adolph Rupp’s “Fabulous Five” wins UK’s first NCAA champion- ship, 58-42, over Baylor. The team is met in Lexington by 15,000 fans and given a parade on a fire truck. Aug. 13, 1948 The U.S. Olympic basketball team, featuring Kentucky’s “Fabulous Five,” wins the gold medal by de- feating France, 64-21, at Wembley Stadium in London. March 8, 1949 Kentucky ends the year ranked No. 1 in the first season of the Associat- ed Press basketball poll. March 26, 1949 UK wins its second consecutive NCAA championship, defeating Oklahoma A&M, 46-36, in Seattle. Dec. 1, 1950 UK plays its first game in the new, $3.9 million, 11,500-seat Memorial Coliseum. Skeptics label the build- ing a “white elephant.” March 27, 1951 UK wins its third NCAA title, de- feating Kansas State, 68-58, in the finals in Minneapolis. 1952-53 UK’s season is suspended by the NCAA. Dec. 5, 1953 Cawood Ledford broadcasts his first game as the radio “Voice of the Wildcats.” March 9, 1954 Kentucky beats LSU, 63-56, in an SEC playoff game to cap a perfect 25-0 season and finish with the nation’s No. 1 ranking. Jan. 8, 1955 Fans are stunned as Georgia Tech defeats UK, 59-58, in Memorial Coliseum, ending a 129-game home winning streak that still stands as a national record. Dec. 7, 1957 What was then referred to as “the longest game in UK history” proves fruitful for the Wildcats as they defeat Temple 85-83 in three overtimes. Vernon Hatton scores UK’s final six points, including a half-court shot, to edge the Owls. March 21, 1958 In the Wildcats’ first game in Free- dom Hall, Vernon Hatton’s layup with 17 seconds left pushes the Wildcats past Temple, 61-60, and into the NCAA championship game. March 22, 1958 UK wins its fourth NCAA title by defeating Seattle, 84-72, in Louis- ville. The “Fiddlin’ Five” is led by Vernon Hatton’s 30 points. The win gives Rupp his most coveted title, the one he vowed to win after the NCAA had suspended UK’s 1953 season. March 19, 1966 In one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, top- ranked UK, featuring “Rupp’s Runts,” loses in the NCAA cham- pionship game, 72-65, to Texas Western. Jan. 27, 1968 At the time, it was believed that Adolph Rupp became college bas- ketball’s all-time winningest coach when the Wildcats overcome a re- cord-setting 52-point performance by LSU’s Pete Maravich to defeat the Tigers, 121-95. Years later, it is discovered that he had achieved that feat on Feb. 18, 1967, with a 103-74 win over Mississippi State. Jan. 18, 1969 On the road against its longtime rival, UK becomes the first team in college basketball history to win 1,000 games, defeating Tennessee, 69-66. Jack "Goose" Givens scored 41 points as UK wins its fifth NCAA Championship, 94-88 over Duke on March 27, 1978. 104 @KentuckyMBB Unparalleled TraditionUnparalleled Tradition @UKSportsNetwork 105 June 9, 1969 Tom Payne, a 7-foot All-American from Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the first Black player to sign with the University of Kentucky. Feb. 28, 1970 Dan Issel becomes UK’s first player to score 2,000 career points as UK defeats Vanderbilt, 90-86. March 14, 1970 Dan Issel scores his 2,138th point, etching his name into the record books as UK’s all-time leading scorer. The top-ranked Wildcats are upset by Jacksonville, 106-100, in the NCAA Tournament. March 18, 1972 Adolph Rupp coaches his last game at UK, a 73-54 loss to Florida State in the NCAA Tournament. Dec. 2, 1972 Joe B. Hall coaches his first game as head coach at UK, a 75-66 win at Michigan State. UK goes on to win the SEC championship and finish 22-8 during Hall’s inaugural season. March 22, 1975 UK upsets undefeated Indiana in the Mideast Regional semifinals to earn a trip to the Final Four. Before the title game with UCLA, legend- ary coach John Wooden announces his retirement. The Bruins go on to defeat UK, 92-85, on March 31. March 8, 1976 Jack Givens keys a late rally as UK outlasts Mississippi State, 94-93, in overtime, in the last game played at Memorial Coliseum. March 21, 1976 UK wins its second NIT champion- ship by defeating North Caroli- na-Charlotte, 71-67, in New York. Nov. 27, 1976 UK defeats Wisconsin, 72-64, in the new 23,000-seat, $53 million Rupp Arena. Rick Robey scores the first field goal in Rupp with 19:30 left to play in the first half. Dec. 10, 1977 As top-ranked UK is defeating Kansas on “Adolph Rupp Night” in Allen Fieldhouse on Naismith Drive in Lawrence, Kansas, Rupp dies. Thousands participate in the funeral procession in Lexington. March 27, 1978 Jack “Goose” Givens scores 41 points as UK wins its fifth NCAA championship, 94-88, over Duke in St. Louis. More than 10,000 fans greet the team at Blue Grass Airport and 15,000 more celebrate at Me- morial Coliseum. March 26, 1983 In the first meeting between the schools in 24 years, Louisville de- feats UK 80-68 in overtime to earn a trip to the Final Four. March 31, 1984 Georgetown outscores UK 23-2 at the start of the second half to defeat the Wildcats, 53-40, in the NCAA semifinal game in Seattle. March 22, 1985 Joe B. Hall announces his retire- ment after UK loses to St. John’s, 86-70, in the NCAA West Regional in Denver. Nov. 22, 1985 Eddie Sutton coaches his first game at Kentucky, a 77-58 win over Northwestern (Louisiana) State. Dec. 29, 1986 Following the Wildcats’ 85-51 win at Louisville on Dec. 27, more than 19,000 fans fill Freedom Hall for a Kentucky practice to usher in the era of school-boy legend Rex Chapman. March 10, 1989 Kentucky finishes the year with a 13-19 record, its first losing mark in 61 seasons. March 19, 1989 In the wake of an NCAA investi- gation, Eddie Sutton resigns as UK basketball coach. May 19, 1989 The NCAA places Kentucky’s bas- ketball program on probation. June 2, 1989 Rick Pitino is named head basket- ball coach at Kentucky. June 13, 1990 Rick Pitino makes history by naming Bernadette Locke, a former assistant for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs basketball team, to his coaching staff at Kentucky. March 2, 1991 Before a crowd of 24,310 at Rupp Arena, Kentucky defeats Auburn, 114-93, to claim the best record in the SEC and end its two-year probation. March 15, 1992 Eligible for postseason play for the first time in three years, Kentucky dominates Alabama, 80-54, to take its 16th SEC Tournament champi- onship. March 28, 1992 In what many call the “best NCAA Tournament game ever,” Kentucky takes defending NCAA champion Duke into overtime before losing 104-103 in the East Regional finals in Philadelphia. A last-sec- ond shot by Christian Laettner sends Duke to the Final Four and breaks the hearts of Wildcat fans everywhere. It is Cawood Ledford’s last game as the “Voice of the Wildcats.” April 3, 1993 Kentucky faces Michigan in the NCAA semifinals, marking UK’s 10th Final Four appearance. An 81-78 overtime loss to the Wol- verines ends Kentucky’s season at 30-4 and marks All-American Jamal Mashburn’s last game in UK blue. Feb. 15, 1994 Trailing by 31 points with 15:34 remaining in the game at LSU, the Wildcats pull off a “Mardi Gras” miracle. Connecting on 11 three-pointers and outscoring the Bayou Bengals 62-27 during the final 15:34, UK storms back to a 99-95 victory, the largest comeback in UK history. March 2, 1996 With a 101-63 victory over Van- derbilt in Rupp Arena on Senior Day, UK becomes the first team in 40 years to finish with a perfect record in the SEC, a 16-0 sweep. It marks the Wildcats’ 25th win in a row, tying a then-school record for consecutive wins in a season. Two games later, they set the new record at 27 games. April 1, 1996 After avenging an early-season loss to UMass with a win in the NCAA semifinals two days before, UK squashes a late Syracuse rally to win its sixth national title, 76-67. March 31, 1997 Despite losing its star, Derek Ander- son, to a knee injury on Jan. 18, UK returns to defend its NCAA title in the national championship game, falling in overtime to Arizona, 84- 79. It would be the final game with Rick Pitino as coach. May 6, 1997 Rick Pitino announces his res- ignation at Kentucky to take the challenge of rebuilding one of the NBA’s most storied franchise, the Boston Celtics. May 12, 1997 UK’s director of athletics, C.M. Newton, introduces Orlando “Tub- by” Smith as head coach. Nov. 20, 1997 It is the dawning of an era as new head coaches Tubby Smith and Morehead State’s Kyle Macy tip off the season in Rupp Arena. Smith wins his first game at UK, 88-49, over the former UK All-American and his Eagles. March 22, 1998 In one of the most anticipated matchups of the NCAA Tournament, UK roars back from a 17-point defi- cit with 9:38 remaining to defeat Duke, 86-84. The victory buries the nightmare of UK-Duke ’92 and advances the Wildcats to their third straight Final Four. March 30, 1998 The “Comeback Cats” rally from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Utah, 78-69, winning UK’s second national title in three years, its seventh overall. Sept. 5, 2001 After a long illness, Cawood Ledford dies at his home in Harlan, Kentucky. A planned tribute at Rupp Arena is canceled following the "Sept. 11" terrorists attacks. March 16, 2003 After running the table in reg- ular-season SEC play, Kentucky defeats Mississippi State, 64-57, in the finals of the SEC Tournament to secure its 24th league tourney crown and complete a 19-0 season sweep of conference opponents. It marks the first time the feat had been accomplished in 51 seasons. April 6, 2007 Billy Gillispie is named Kentucky’s new head basketball coach. He is introduced to a crowd of more than 4,000 fans at a pep rally announc- ing his hiring. Gillispie replaces Tubby Smith, who left after 10 seasons at the helm of Kentucky basketball to become the head coach at Minnesota. March 31, 2008 Longtime Kentucky basketball 106 @KentuckyMBB Unparalleled Tradition manager Bill Keightley passes away at the age of 81 in Cincinnati. Affectionately known as “Mr. Wild- cat,” he had been associated with the Wildcats’ basketball program since 1962. Keightley manned the “Bill Keightley Equipment Room” in Memorial Coliseum. A crowd of more than 3,000 pay their respects at a tribute to Mr. Keightley held in Rupp Arena. Former players, coach- es and managers travel from across the country to eulogize him. Jan. 13, 2009 In one of the most memorable individual moments in program history, Jodie Meeks rewrites the record books in a 90-72 win at Tennessee, pouring in 54 points on 15-of-22 shooting. Meeks’ historic night breaks Dan Issel’s 39-year school record for most points in a single game. April 1, 2009 The University of Kentucky names John Calipari the 22nd coach in UK bas- ketball history. Calipari vows to make Kentucky a “players-first” program. Dec. 21, 2009 Kentucky becomes the first program in college basketball history to reach the 2,000-win plateau. The Wildcats defeat Drexel, 88-44, to achieve the milestone. March 22, 2010 John Wall, who averages 16.6 points and 6.5 assists en route to leading UK to the Elite Eight, becomes the first player in UK’s illustrious history to win one of the primary national player of the year awards when he’s awarded the Adolph Rupp Trophy. June 24, 2010 Kentucky makes history again when the Wildcats send five players to the first round of the NBA Draft. John Wall becomes the first No. 1 pick in program history when he is selected by the Washington Wizards with the top overall pick. DeMarcus Cousins is selected fifth by the Sacramento Kings, Patrick Patterson goes 14th to the Houston Rockets, Eric Bledsoe is picked 18th by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Daniel Orton is select- ed 29th by the Orlando Magic. April 2, 2011 Kentucky makes its 14th Final Four appearance in school history. The Wildcats face Connecticut in the semifinal matchup, falling 55-56 to the eventual 2011 NCAA champion. Nov. 11, 2011 Kentucky defeats Marist 108-58 in the season opener to secure the 34th consecutive win in Rupp Arena under John Calipari, setting a new record for consecutive wins in the building. Calipari would go on to win his first 54 games in Rupp Arena as UK’s coach, the longest win streak in venue history. March 4, 2012 Kentucky closes out the 2011- 12 season with a 74-59 win at Florida capping a perfect 16-0 run through the SEC. It marks the third time a UK team has gone 16-0 in league play and the first time since the 2003 squad turned the trick. April 2, 2012 The Wildcats bring home the school’s eighth national champi- onship after posting a 67-59 win over the Kansas Jayhawks. Doron Lamb leads all scorers on 7-of-12 shooting. National Player of the Year Anthony Davis tallies only six points, but he earns Final Four Most Outstanding honors after pulling down 16 rebounds. June 28, 2012 The Wildcats set an NBA Draft record with six players picked in the 2012 NBA Draft. Anthony Davis becomes the second UK player to be picked No. 1 overall. Jan. 29, 2013 Nerlens Noel has a night for the ages, registering a school-record 12 blocked shots a victory at Ole Miss. Noel collects his fourth foul with 9:52 left in the game and then proceeds to register six blocks over the final 5:28 to help the Cats preserve an 87-74 victory over the 16th-ranked Rebels. April 7, 2014 Kentucky sparks an exciting run to the national championship game with five freshman starters. UK, playing as an eight seed, knocks off four straight top-five seeds all by five points or less to become the first team to win five games in an NCAA Tournament by such a small margin. Freshman sharpshooter Aaron Harrison hits the game-win- ning 3-pointer in successive victo- ries over Louisville, Michigan and Wisconsin in the final minute of play of each contest. UK eventually loses to UConn in the title game by a 60-54 score. March 7, 2015 Playing under a two-platoon system for most of the year, the Wildcats complete the regular season 31-0 with a victory over Florida, becom- ing the first team from a “power five” conference to go undefeated in the regular season since Indiana did it in 1976. UK completes the SEC season with an 18-0 record and goes on to win the SEC Tournament championship, its 28th title. The Wildcats eventually post a 38-0 record to reach the Final Four, the first team in college basketball his- tory to record such a record, before losing to Wisconsin in the national semifinals. June 25, 2015 Continuing a record-setting recent run of draft picks, six more Wildcats are selected in the 2015 NBA Draft, tying UK’s own 2012 record mark. Karl-Anthony Towns becomes the third UK player in program history to go No. 1, and an NBA-record-ty- ing four Wildcats are taken in the lottery. March 24, 2017 In a highly anticipated matchup with UCLA, which beat the Wildcats in the regular season in Rupp Arena, freshman point guard De’Aaron Fox scores an NCAA Tournament freshman record 39 points to propel UK to the Elite Eight. February 23, 2019 With an 80-53 victory over Auburn, 10th-year head coach John Calipari moves past Joe B. Hall for the second-most victories by a UK head coach in program history. He trails only the Baron of the Bluegrass, Adolph Rupp. March 12, 2020 Out of safety precautions and concerns amid the COVID-19 pan- demic, the 2020 SEC Tournament is canceled. Hours later, all NCAA winter championships are can- celed, including the NCAA Tourna- ment. The Wildcats' season, at 25-6 and regular-season SEC champions, abruptly comes to an end. April 5, 2022 When Oscar Tshiebwe was tabbed the Wooden Award winner, he hauled in his sixth major honor to become the program's first unani- mous National Player of the Year. April 14, 2024 Mark Pope is introduced as Ken- tucky’s new head basketball coach to a crowd of more than 15,000 fans inside of Rupp Arena. Pope re- places John Calipari, who left after 15 seasons at the helm of Kentucky basketball to become the head coach at Arkansas. De'Aaron Fox scores an NCAA Tournament freshman record 39 points to propel UK to the Elite Eight on March 24, 2017.University of Kentucky Basketball n Retired Jerseys @UKSportsNetwork 107 A s the videotape rolls through the history of the Kentucky basketball program, the highlights are countless. Eight national championships. Numerous Southeastern Conference titles. Last-second shots. The trophies. The net cutting. Victory upon victory. The pictures and images con- tinue to roll. Year after year, the Wildcats have con- tended for national championships and produced a host of All-Americans. The UK program also has stocked the NBA with top young talent. But the ultimate honor for a Wildcat player or coach is to have his jersey retired. Through the years, 45 former players, coaches and contributors have received this recognition. According to former UK sports infor- mation director Russell Rice, the first jer- sey retired was Layton “Mickey” Rouse, an All-SEC guard who captained the 1940 UK squad. At the annual banquet following the season, Coach Adolph Rupp surprised Rouse when he presented him with his en- tire uniform. Following the 1949 season, Rupp hon- ored the four seniors from the back-to-back national championship teams — Cliff Barker, Ralph Beard, Alex Groza and Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones, along with 1948 team captain Kenny Rollins — by retiring their jerseys and stating that their numbers would never be worn again by a Kentucky player. It was then that they were tagged “the Fabulous Five” after Rupp made mention there would never be another team that “fabulous.” However, with the streamlining of jersey numbers by the NCAA, the jerseys are re- tired but the numbers remain active. Two contributors have been selected for the basketball program’s highest honor, including the late Cawood Ledford, the ra- dio “Voice of the Wildcats” for 39 years. In 1997, Bill Keightley, the lovable and dedicat- ed equipment manager known as “Mr. Wild- cat,” also was selected. And the great coach- es have been honored as well — Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. Each selection has been presented with a framed jersey and a banner proudly hangs from the Rupp Arena rafters. An individual must be a member of the Hall of Fame and be 10 years removed from a UK Athletics Hall of Fame career to be eligible for jersey retirement. A committee consisting of Hall of Famers, media mem- bers, campus representatives, and current coaches and administrators elects new in- ductees each year. A subcommittee also considers possible jersey retirements. In recognition of outstanding contributions to the University of Kentucky basketball program, the UK Athletics Department has retired jerseys honoring the following: Basil Hayden 1920-22 56 - Burgess Carey 1925-26 Carey Spicer 1929-31 Adolph Rupp Head Coach – 1931-72 Forest “Aggie” Sale 1931-33 7 - John “Frenchy” DeMoisey 1932-34 4 - Layton “Mickey” Rouse 1938-40 26 - Kenny Rollins H 1943, 47-48 15 - Alex Groza H 1945, 47-49 12 - Ralph Beard H 1946-49 27 - Wallace Jones H 1946-49 22 - Cliff Barker H 1947-49 77 - Bill Spivey 1950-51 30 - Frank Ramsey * 1951-52, 54 6 - Cliff Hagan * 1951-52, 54 16 - Lou Tsioropoulos * 1951, 52-54 42 - Billy Evans * 1952, 54-55 20 - Gayle Rose * 1952, 54-55 Cawood Ledford “Voice of the Wildcats” 1953-92 22 - Jerry Bird * 1954-56 44 - Phil Grawemeyer * 1954-56 50 - Bob Burrow 1955-56 52 - Vernon Hatton 1956-58 24 - Johnny Cox 1957-59 Bill Keightley “Mr. Wildcat” Equipment Manager 1962-2008 44 - Cotton Nash 1962-64 10 - Louie Dampier 1965-67 42 - Pat Riley 1965-67 22 - Mike Pratt 1968-70 Radio Analyst - 2002-22 44 - Dan Issel 1968-70 Joe B. Hall Head Coach – 1973-85 35 - Kevin Grevey 1973-75 21 - Jack Givens 1975-78 53 - Rick Robey 1975-78 4 - Kyle Macy 1978-80 31 - Sam Bowie 1980-81, 84 34 - Kenny Walker 1983-86 32 - Richie Farmer 1989-92 12 - Deron Feldhaus 1989-92 34 - John Pelphrey 1989-92 11 - Sean Woods 1990-92 Rick Pitino Head Coach – 1990-97 24 - Jamal Mashburn 1991-93 00 - Tony Delk 1993-96 Orlando "Tubby" Smith Head Coach – 1998-2007 H Member of “The Fabulous Five,” 1948 national champions & Olympic gold medalists * Member of 1954 undefeated national champions Jamal Mashburn Kenny WalkerNext >