11 Sean Woods

Sean Woods was a standout point guard for the University of Kentucky Wildcats from 1989 to 1992. Best known for his leadership and playmaking skills, Woods was part of the legendary “Unforgettables” – a group of Kentucky players who helped restore the program to prominence under head coach Rick Pitino in the early 1990s.

Woods was born Sean Lavell Woods on March 29, 1970, in East Chicago, Indiana, to Mozell and Vicki Williams. He attended Cathedral High School, where he established himself as a talented and tough-minded point guard. He was a two-year starter and three-year letterman and averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game in his senior season, leading his team to a 48-4 record and a ninth-place finish in the state.  He was named All-City, All-State, and All-America Honorable Mention by Converse his senior year.  Woods was captain of his team in his last two seasons.

His performances earned him a scholarship to play for the University of Kentucky, where he became a key figure in the Wildcats’ rebuilding process following NCAA sanctions in the late 1980s.

Woods played three seasons at Kentucky, quickly becoming one of the team’s leaders.

As a sophomore, he started at point guard for all but one game.  He led the SEC in assists, averaging 5.9 per game.  Woods set the UK record for assists by a first-year player with 164.  He committed only 77 turnovers in 726 minutes (one every 9.4 minutes).  He had a better than 2-1 assist-turnover ratio (164 assists, 77 turnovers) and fell just two short of UK’s single-game assists record when he had 12 assists vs. Tennessee Tech.

As a junior, Woods averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game and was the team’s primary ball-handler and one of the best passers in the SEC.  He was one of the top perimeter defenders on the team, often guarding the opponent’s best backcourt player.  He scored a season-high 25 points in a victory over Alabama and had multiple double-digit assist games, showing his ability to distribute and control the offense.  Woods led the Wildcats to a signature win over No. 9 LSU, proving that Kentucky could compete with top teams again.

Woods’ senior season (1991-92) was one of the most memorable in Kentucky Wildcats basketball history, as the program returned to national prominence after enduring NCAA sanctions. Woods played a critical role as the team’s starting point guard, leading a veteran squad known as “The Unforgettables.”  The team went 29-7 and was the SEC Tournament Runner-up (lost to Alabama in the final).  They reached the Elite Eight and obtained a season final AP ranking of #6.  Woods averaged 10.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game and led the SEC in assists per game (7.1), ranking among the nation’s top playmakers.  He set Kentucky’s single-game assist record (20 assists vs. Georgia State) and was named to the NCAA All-Regional Team for his outstanding play in the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament.  Woods and The Unforgettables (Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus, and John Pelphrey) led Kentucky through an emotional NCAA Tournament run, highlighted by one of the most famous games in college basketball history.

His most famous moment came during the 1992 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight matchup against Duke – one of the most iconic games in college basketball history. Woods hit a running bank shot with 2.1 seconds left to give Kentucky a 103-102 lead in overtime. However, Duke’s Christian Laettner hit his legendary buzzer-beater to win the game 104-103, ending Kentucky’s season in heartbreak. Despite the loss, Woods and his teammates, Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus, and John Pelphrey, became known as “The Unforgettables” for their dedication to Kentucky basketball.

Woods finished his Kentucky career with 794 points and 482 assists, ranking among the program’s best passers.

After college, Woods had a brief professional playing career before transitioning into coaching. He held head coaching positions at:

• Mississippi Valley State (2008-2012)
• Morehead State (2012-2016)
• Southern University (2018-present)

As a coach, Woods has instilled the same grit and up-tempo style he learned under Rick Pitino.

Sean Woods remains a beloved figure in Kentucky basketball history, remembered for his leadership, clutch shot in the Duke game, and his role in revitalizing the program. His jersey number was honored in Rupp Arena, along with the other Unforgettables, ensuring his place in Wildcat lore forever.