20 Jimmy Dan Conner

Jimmy Dan Conner was born on March 20, 1953, in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Conner became a household name in the Bluegrass State due to his cocky country charisma and his contributions to the Wildcats’ success.

Conner attended Anderson County High School, where he was named Mr. Kentucky Basketball in 1971 and received Parade All-American honors that same year.   He led Anderson County to the finals in the state tournament, losing to champion Male.  He was twice named All-State.  As a senior in high school, he averaged 24.7 points per game and 14 rebounds.

Conner played for the Wildcats from 1972 to 1975, under the guidance of coach Joe B. Hall. A versatile guard-forward, he was known for his smooth shooting, athleticism, and leadership. As a key player during his collegiate career, he helped lead the Wildcats to the 1975 NCAA Championship Game, where they finished as national runners-up after falling to UCLA in legendary coach John Wooden’s final game.

As a freshman in 1971-72, Conner was the second leading scorer on an undefeated freshman squad, behind Kentucky legend Kevin Grevey, and was fifth in rebounding.  He was the runaway leader in assists with 83.  As a sophomore in the 1972-73 season, Conner started every game but one and was the third-leading scorer with 11.2 points per game.  He scored in double-figures 14 times with a single-game high of 27 points against Auburn.  In the 1973-74 season, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.  He led the team in minutes played with 863.  As a senior, Conner served as team captain, scoring 12.4 points per game and he became the 21st Wildcat to crack the 1,000-point club with 1,009 points.

During his time at Kentucky, Conner was a fan favorite, celebrated for his clutch performances and all-around play. He was named an All-SEC selection and played a crucial role in Kentucky’s deep tournament runs. His performance in the 1975 Final Four cemented his legacy as one of Kentucky basketball’s most memorable players of the decade.

After his college career, Conner was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1975 NBA Draft. Though his professional career was brief, his impact at Kentucky remains significant. He later became a successful businessman and stayed involved in Kentucky basketball circles.

Conner’s contributions to Kentucky basketball have left a lasting legacy, and he remains a celebrated figure in the history of the program.