55 Thad Jaracz

Jaracz came to Kentucky from Lexington's Lafayette High School. A 6'5″ center, Jaracz anchored the middle as a sophomore for Adolph Rupp's undersized “Rupp's Runts” in 1965–66. Jaracz was the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 13.2 points per game as the Wildcats made it to the 1966 NCAA championship game, where they famously lost to the Texas Western Miners.  At the close of the season, Jaracz joined teammates Louie Dampier and Pat Riley on the Associated Press All-American team, earning third team honors.

Following the close of his college career in 1968, Jaracz was drafted both by the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association and the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association. However, he never played in either league.  In 1969, Jaracz was drafted by the US Army.  Being a few hours short of his political science degree, he enlisted as an officer and completed his degree at Fort Knox.  Later, he earned a master's degree from West Texas University.  For the next 18 years, Jaracz served the armed forces in a career that took him around the world.  He returned to Kentucky in 1985, but ended up in Louisville where he taught at U of L and assisted with the ROTC program.  Jaracz remained at U of L until 1988.  He retired from the Army in 1990.

He is currently the Senior Director of Corporate Services for Vitas Healthcare Corporation.

From the 1968 University of Kentucky Basketball Media Guide:

A native Lexingtonian, Jaracz is the only returning player who started every game last season . . . Led the team in rebounding with 215 grabs (8.3 per game), eighth in the Conference . . . Third in team scoring with 293 points . . . Named most valuable player in the 1966 UK IT . . . As a soph in 1965-66 he was honored by the Associated Press on its third team All-America selections (only soph among 15 honorees) and chosen as “Sophomore of the Year” in the Southeastern Conference . . . Proved to be one of key in Kentucky's surprising surge to No. 1 position in the national polls and close in its bid for a fifth NCAA championship that season . . . Operated at both center and forward last season, but probably will shift to forward this season as taller sophomores battle for the pivot position . . . Played high school ball at Lexington Lafayette . . . His father played football at UK in 1941-42 . . . Much of the team's success will depend on leadership generated by Jaracz.

Totals Table

Season	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
1965-66	29		840	164	328	.500	55	92	.598	218	17				92	383
1966-67	26		897	124	260	.477	45	70	.643	215	23				79	293
1967-68	27		766	134	288	.465	38	63	.603	193	28				79	306
Career	82		2503	422	876	.482	138	225	.613	626	68				250	982

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table