The University of Kentucky has retired jerseys to honor the players, coaches and other influential figures whose achievements helped shape the history of Kentucky basketball. The honorees span more than a century, beginning with Basil Hayden and the program’s earliest stars and continuing through championship players, legendary coaches and beloved members of the UK basketball family.
At Kentucky, a retired jersey honors the individual while allowing the uniform number to remain in circulation. Several numbers therefore appear beside more than one honoree.
Retired Jerseys Honoring Kentucky Players
| Number | Honoree | Years at Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| — | Basil Hayden | 1920–22 |
| 56 | Burgess Carey | 1925–26 |
| — | Carey Spicer | 1929–31 |
| — | Forest “Aggie” Sale | 1931–33 |
| 7 | John “Frenchy” DeMoisey | 1932–34 |
| 4 | Layton “Mickey” Rouse | 1938–40 |
| 26 | Kenny Rollins1 | 1943, 1947–48 |
| 15 | Alex Groza1 | 1945, 1947–49 |
| 12 | Ralph Beard1 | 1946–49 |
| 27 | Wallace Jones1 | 1946–49 |
| 22 | Cliff Barker1 | 1947–49 |
| 77 | Bill Spivey | 1950–51 |
| 30 | Frank Ramsey2 | 1951–52, 1954 |
| 6 | Cliff Hagan2 | 1951–52, 1954 |
| 16 | Lou Tsioropoulos2 | 1951–52, 1954 |
| 42 | Billy Evans2 | 1952, 1954–55 |
| 20 | Gayle Rose2 | 1952, 1954–55 |
| 22 | Jerry Bird2 | 1954–56 |
| 44 | Phil Grawemeyer2 | 1954–56 |
| 50 | Bob Burrow | 1955–56 |
| 52 | Vernon Hatton | 1956–58 |
| 24 | Johnny Cox | 1957–59 |
| 44 | Cotton Nash | 1962–64 |
| 10 | Louie Dampier | 1965–67 |
| 42 | Pat Riley | 1965–67 |
| 44 | Dan Issel | 1968–70 |
| 35 | Kevin Grevey | 1973–75 |
| 21 | Jack Givens | 1975–78 |
| 53 | Rick Robey | 1975–78 |
| 4 | Kyle Macy | 1978–80 |
| 31 | Sam Bowie | 1980–81, 1984 |
| 34 | Kenny Walker | 1983–86 |
| 32 | Richie Farmer | 1989–92 |
| 12 | Deron Feldhaus | 1989–92 |
| 34 | John Pelphrey | 1989–92 |
| 11 | Sean Woods | 1990–92 |
| 24 | Jamal Mashburn | 1991–93 |
| 00 | Tony Delk | 1993–96 |
Coaches and Other Honorees
| Honoree | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Adolph Rupp | Head Coach | 1931–72 |
| Cawood Ledford | “Voice of the Wildcats” | 1953–92 |
| Bill Keightley | “Mr. Wildcat” — Equipment Manager | 1962–2008 |
| Joe B. Hall | Head Coach | 1973–85 |
| Rick Pitino | Head Coach | 1990–97 |
| Tubby Smith | Head Coach | 1998-2007 |
1 Member of the “Fabulous Five,” Kentucky’s 1948 national championship team and the United States team that won the gold medal at the 1948 Olympic Games.
2 Member of Kentucky’s undefeated 1953–54 team.
Source: University of Kentucky 2025–26 Men’s Basketball Record Book.
