Who’s your “face” of Kentucky basketball

[morgousky]

this isn’t necessarily asking who the obvious choice is for all generations, but who’s the face you visualize from childhood or when you became enamored with UK?

Personally, I go back and forth. Ford and Mashburn are the first players I remember, but Delk was the first guy I grew to recognize as an older kid (10ish). If I had to name one, I guess I have to go with 00.

 

[Robcatt24]

Sky Walker

 

[morgousky]

Sky Walker

I assume this will be posted in the thread quite a lot.

 

[feelthebeirne]

Dan Issel

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

Kenny Walker. He played in mid 80s when I first got cable TV and could watch many of their games. He was my favorite player for quite a long time. Probably still my favorite. And it’s cool when they show him at Rupp during current games. Looks like he attends home games regularly.

 

[U6Hater]

Rupp.

 

[Catapult]

Rupp.

This, but if you are going strictly players, it's Dampier.

 

[feelthebeirne]

Rupp.

I believe that was the "obvious" answer that the OP was referring to !

 

[ManitouDan]

Kyle Macy

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Adolph Rupp. When I was a boy he was a GIANT in college basketball and was recognized as the best coach by far. Red Auerbach coached the Celtics and said he would rather watch Kentucky practice than any other team play.

 

[rick64]

At this time, John Calipari.

 

[Blueaz]

The very first person I think of is Macy... then Sam.
Coaches: Joe B still pops up first and then Rupp.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Pat Riley should be imo but it’s gotta be Issel. Someone who still is associated with UK played for the baron and has been billed as the all time greatest cat by many. Once Issel is gone then the torch gets passed but while he’s alive he the “face” of UK basketball. Has been all my life and no one has done anything to supplant him.

 

[sg24]

At this time, John Calipari.

this

 

[morgousky]

If I’m allowed to use coaches as well, I’m sorry to say.....

It’s Pitino all day and no one comes close.

 

[morgousky]

If I’m allowed to use coaches as well, I’m sorry to say.....

It’s Pitino all day and no one comes close.

You’re an idiot. He’s a squirtin weasel that lies constantly. Get over it and support our coach.

 

[morgousky]

You’re an idiot. He’s a squirtin weasel that lies constantly. Get over it and support our coach.

Man I’m a 90’s kid. Pitino was in the blood. Cut me a break.

 

[Jazzycat]

I started watching the Cats in 1966 so I visualize quite a few faces when I think of UK basketball. I loved watching Kyle Macy play, though. He was also a student at UK when I was and I saw him around campus quite a bit. The player that has been the most impactful however, has to be Anthony Davis. I can still see him smacking his chest in the NCAA tournament and yelling, “This is my stage!” Loved watching that young man absolutely dominate a game...

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Rupp

Calipari

 

[21Goose]

Kyle Macy. I rubbed my socks and crouched down before I shot free throws for many a year. Loved the #4.

 

[Gothic1960]

If I’m allowed to use coaches as well, I’m sorry to say.....

It’s Pitino all day and no one comes close.

Well that explains a lot about you...

 

[ORCAT]

Issel all the way for me. All time greatest (yeah, I know the youngsters will say AD, and he is great too but only here 1 year) and still around Lexington and UK quite often. Many other reasons for him already listed above so I don't need to repeat.

 

[BankerCat12]

Larry Ivy

 

[Mime-Is-Money]

Jamal Mashburn - he was Kentucky in the 90s. Even after he left most incoming superstars or forwards were compared to Mashburn

 

[jrpross]

Man I’m a 90’s kid. Pitino was in the blood. Cut me a break.

I see what you did there....

And I get it. Pitino was (in the words of John Lennon) “bigger than Jesus” in the 90’s.

 

[BBUK]

BBUK

 

[JHannibalSmith]

Kyle Macy

Same here. Macy was my first favorite UK player & has always been the guy I immediately associate with UK & vice versa. He was a two-time All-American, 3 time All-SEC & was UK’s first consensus SEC Player Of The Year in 1980. So, he was the face of UK basketball when I became a fan. And, he was universally loved by the vast majority of Cat fans. There’s a reason that an entire generation of UK fans wiped their hands on their socks at the FT line. But, if I’m picking somebody before my time it would be Rupp or Issel.

 

[*CatinIL*]

My early years...
Rupp
High school years and beyond...
The Goose

 

[BoulderCat]

There is only one face, one voice which was, maybe still is Kentucky basketball. Cawood Ledford. I don’t think even Rupp defined it like he did. I would say the two together are Kentucky basketball as we know it.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Now is Cal obviously.

All time, I'd have to say Oliver Simmons or Todd Tackett...Junior Braddy is right there with Nate Knight, but neither are as good as Adam Williams- wait he didn't play, right?

In all seriousness, face of the program is always the Coach to me. Pitino, Tubby, wait while I barf (Gillispie) and now Cal...in my life of following.

Mashburn from a player perspective.

 

[ConRay9]

For me, it was either Tubby Smith or Tom Leach. First basketball season I remember following vividly was 02-03’. I remember vague random memories from before that, and that season is still a little bit fuzzy. The 2004 loss to UAB is the first time I remember truly being sad/dejected about a loss. I actually have more football memories from a younger age than basketball.

As far as players go I’m having a hard time picking between Sparks, Tayshaun, or Bogans. They all were pretty big to me when I was a kid. I’d probably lean Tayshaun. He’s my first favorite UK player that I remember being my favorite.

 

[fitches4]

Cawood.....no question. Lived Kentucky basketball through his voice.

 

[TFCats11]

Kyle Macy for me, and a couple of others. Born in ‘72.

 

[justin_uk_5]

Kenny Walker. He played in mid 80s when I first got cable TV and could watch many of their games. He was my favorite player for quite a long time. Probably still my favorite. And it’s cool when they show him at Rupp during current games. Looks like he attends home games regularly.

He does. He sits in the little press row in upper level. Right below my season tickets

 

[Herromyherro]

Skal Labissiere

 

[chroix]

Mr. Wildcat, Bill Keightly. Spanned multiple generations and always a class act. If I had to pick a player I’d go with Mashburn. Chuck Hayes gets a nod as well.

 

[BassProCat]

Delk in the 90’s and Prince in the 00’s.

I also really liked Mercer in the 90s. Dude was a stud.

 

[kyboy1998]

As far as Kentucky basketball the culture, it would be Hall and Caywood for me.

As far as players are concerned the twin towers of Bowie and Turpin, followed by Walker, Bennett and Rex were probably the ones who influenced me the most early on.

 

[CatGotMyTongue]

Goose

 

[zannmann]

Rupp was, is and will always be the face of UK basketball. He built it from the ground up.