6 Paul McBrayer

Paul McBrayer was born Paul Sullivan McBrayer on October 12, 1909, in Ninevah, Kentucky, to Laura Sullivan and Hartwell J. McBrayer. A farmer’s son, he captained Kavanaugh High School’s basketball team in Lawrenceburg before entering Kentucky in September 1926.

Nicknamed “Scotsman,” McBrayer helped Jimmy McFarland’s freshman Kittens finish undefeated at 19–0 in 1926–27.

As a sophomore in 1927–28, he filled Johnny Mauer’s need at center despite being a natural guard. His development helped Kentucky finish 12–6.

Returning to guard as a junior, McBrayer distinguished himself through defense, rebounding, and directing the offense. His teammates elected him captain for the following season.

As senior captain in 1929–30, he led Kentucky to a 16–3 record and earned unanimous All-Southern recognition and Helms Foundation All-America honors. Fans carried him through Lexington’s Union Station upon the team’s return from Atlanta.

His farewell home game brought a 28–26 overtime victory over Washington and Lee. At the 1930 Southern Conference Tournament, he made all ten free throws, establishing a tournament record.

McBrayer also played baseball and belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon and campus leadership societies. He later assisted Adolph Rupp before Army service. At Eastern Kentucky, where he coached from 1946 to 1962, his teams captured three Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships and two conference tournament titles, reaching two NCAA tournaments. A 38-game home winning streak at Weaver Gymnasium reflected the strength of the program he built, and Eastern named its basketball arena in his honor. He died from pancreatic cancer on January 1, 1999, at age 89.