00 John DeMoisey

John DeMoisey was born John Rivolette DeMoisey on August 5, 1912, in Walton, Kentucky. He became the offensive centerpiece of Walton High School’s Bearcats, scoring more than 600 points in one season before entering the University of Kentucky in 1930. DeMoisey starred at center for Kentucky’s freshman team, studied in the College of Education and also excelled as a baseball pitcher, recording at least 11 victories for Lexington’s American Legion club. His brother, Truett DeMoisey, also played basketball for Kentucky.

The 6-foot-4 center-forward became one of the foundational stars of Adolph Rupp’s early Wildcats. Known in newspapers as both “Frenchy” and “Twisty,” he finished his varsity career with 639 points in 53 games. DeMoisey earned first-team all-conference and all-tournament honors as Kentucky won the 1933 Southern Conference Tournament, scoring a game-high 15 points in the 46–27 championship victory over Mississippi State. Elected captain for 1933–34, he repeated as a first-team All-SEC and All-SEC Tournament selection, earned Helms All-America recognition and was regarded by many coaches as the outstanding player of the conference tournament. Kentucky later retired his No. 7 jersey.

DeMoisey’s career high came on February 3, 1932, when he scored 29 points on 14 field goals in a 61–37 victory at Vanderbilt. In his final home appearance two years later, he poured in 25 points in only 30 minutes as Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt, 47–27, completed a 16–0 regular season and extended its winning streak to 24 games. His trademark one-hand overhead pivot, or “twist,” shot allowed him to fake in one direction, leap the other way and turn in midair before releasing the ball over the defense. Rupp later credited DeMoisey with pioneering the move, an early predecessor of the hook shot.

After graduating from Kentucky in 1934, DeMoisey began coaching basketball at Grayson High School and later taught and coached at Harrodsburg. He married Dorothy Downing, daughter of former Kentucky player H. H. Downing, and played professionally with the Oshkosh All-Stars. DeMoisey later worked in state government and became a trusted political associate of A. B. “Happy” Chandler. He died on August 1, 1963, at age 50 and was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982.