22 Ryan Hogan

Ryan Hogan was born on August 15, 1978, and grew up in Deerfield, Illinois, where he became one of the most prolific scorers in Lake County high school basketball history. Hogan scored more than 2,400 points at Deerfield High School, averaging approximately 28 points as a junior and 25 as a senior while establishing the county’s career scoring record. His shooting ability made him a nationally regarded recruit and earned him the opportunity to play at Kentucky.

The 6-foot-3 guard spent two seasons with the Wildcats from 1997 through 1999. As a freshman, Hogan contributed to Kentucky’s memorable 1997-98 season, when the Wildcats captured the program’s seventh NCAA championship under first-year head coach Tubby Smith. His role increased during his sophomore year, when he appeared in 35 games and made two starts for a Kentucky team that won 28 games and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

One of Hogan’s most memorable moments came in the 1999 SEC Tournament championship game against Arkansas. With Kentucky trailing early, he came off the bench and buried consecutive three-pointers, helping the Wildcats erase a 13-point deficit on their way to a 76-63 victory and a third straight conference tournament title. Hogan transferred following the season and completed his collegiate career with two years at Iowa. His accomplishments at Deerfield and his place on Kentucky’s 1998 championship team later earned him induction into the Basketball Museum of Illinois Hall of Fame in 2020.