In 1983, former Cat Jim Master scored 16 points to match the great Michael Jordan, who also had 16 points, to help the USA clinch the gold medal over Brazil, 87-79 at the Pan Am Games. Featuring a roster filled with future professionals, the 1983 USA Pan American team, coached by Kansas State’s Jack Hartman, was as…
On this date in Kentucky basketball history…
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to be featured in HBO documentary
Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has yet to play his first collegiate game, but by the time he does, he will already have been featured in an HBO documentary called Prayer for a Perfect Season. Kidd-Gilchrist played his high school basketball for national powerhouse St. Patrick’s in Elizabeth, N.J. During his senior season, award-winning director Marc Levin…
Former Cat Walter McCarty shoots for a music career
When Walter McCarty takes the stage at the Lexington Opera House on Sunday night, he will be pursuing new glory just two blocks from the main stage for some of his old glory days. In the mid-1990s, McCarty was a star forward for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, including the squad that won…
Sports writer wants former Cat Bill Spivey in local Hall of Fame
Good read on former Cat Bill Spivey, who was Kentucky’s first 7-footer and an All-American. From Bobby Pope of Macon.com: “Warner Robins mayor Chuck Shaheen has put the wheels in motion to establish a Hall of Fame for the International City. It will be difficult to determine which athletes will be included in the inaugural…
Terrence Jones named to Dick Vitale’s First-Team All-Solid Gold team
Terrence Jones named to Dick Vitale’s First-Team All-Solid Gold team
Terrence Jones ready to play leading role for Kentucky
He’s the leading returning scorer on what could be the best team in recent Kentucky memory. Still, heading into the 2011-12 season, forward Terrence Jones said he doesn’t feel any more pressure than he did a year ago, when he helped lead the Wildcats to the Final Four. “Actually,” Jones said Tuesday, “I feel less…
The reinvention of Joe B. Hall
Joe B. Hall explains the key to successful living in one’s golden years with a two-part mantra. The first component is the need for joy. “And I’m having fun,” Hall says. F. Scott Fitzgerald, who famously said there are no second acts in American life, would be amazed to see the 82-year-old former University of…
The Legend of Richie Farmer
Hanging in the rafters above the home court of the winningest college basketball program in history are the retired jerseys and banners of the men who made Kentucky basketball into an institution. To followers of the Wildcats, the banners are more than just echoes of glories passed; they are emblems of memories now gifted from…
Darius Miler makes 12-member roster representing the U.S. in the 2011 World University Games
The 12-member roster that will represent the U.S. in the 2011 World University Games men’s basketball competition has been set, with three prior USA Basketball medalists selected to the team after six days of training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Listed on the roster are: Tim Abromaitis (Notre…
The New York Times discusses John Calipari’s “500” wins
The University of Hawaii won a men’s volleyball championship in 2002. Or did it? Coach John Calipari earned his 500th college basketball victory last season. Or did he? For dozens of universities across collegiate sports, for the players who competed, for the officials who whistled fouls and for the fans who paid for tickets, those…