Who is on the Mt. Rushmore of Kentucky basketball (Players edition)?
- Thread starter YourPublicEnemy
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This list represents the broad and storied history of UK basketball from the Fabulous Five to The Brow, from Rupp to Cal.
This is where I'm at. Those three are obvious. After that I feel like Groza, Givens, Hagan, Delk, Jones, and probably some others could all make a case.
You have to put John Wall in there for the same reason you have to put Mashburn in there...
I realize Rex Chapman isn't one of the four greatest players ever at Kentucky. But, in my personal Rushmore of Kentucky players would include him. As he is probably my favorite player of all time.
Issel
Rex
Mash
AD
Issel
Rex
Mash
AD
My list, which I stole from Rupps Runts, isn't simply the best four. Otherwise I'd have Goose and Towns on there. It's the two best (and there can be no argument. AD and Issel are the two best) and the two that had the biggest impact on the program beyond just the games.
I know there will be a lot of “what about Player X?” with my list. And there are many arguments to be made…had them in my mind already. But here is my “decades greatest.” These are not necessarily considered my favorites, but those that are probably in the running. Once again, this is just an opinion, so feel free to provide your amendments… Ha
1930s ??????
1940s Alex Groza
1950s Johnny Cox
1960s Dan Issel
1970s Kevin Grevey
1980s Kenny “Sky” Walker
1990s Jamal “Monster Mash” Mashburn
2000s Tayshaun Prince
2010s Anthony Davis
Now how to select 4???? Wow.
1930s ??????
1940s Alex Groza
1950s Johnny Cox
1960s Dan Issel
1970s Kevin Grevey
1980s Kenny “Sky” Walker
1990s Jamal “Monster Mash” Mashburn
2000s Tayshaun Prince
2010s Anthony Davis
Now how to select 4???? Wow.
This is a little unfair to Wall, but I think Mashburn was a lot more important to Pitino than Wall was to Kentucky. A little hindsight bias here, but it's really tough to fathom Calipari's turnaround hinging on John Wall. The guy was going to get players either way. Take away John Wall and Calipari still basically does, mostly, what he's done.
Maybe. Maybe not.
Wall was a superstar the likes of which we hadn't seen in forever. He was beyond just one of the best players, like a Tayshaun Prince or Demarcus Cousins. He was next level. The whole basketball world was captivated by swagger he brought on and off the court.
Mash
Issel
AD
AD has got to be on the list. He's UK's most decorated player, national champ, POY etc. I get the one year argument, but sometimes you've gotta accept special circumstances.
After those three, it's a tough call.
Gonna need more mountain.
Issel
AD
AD has got to be on the list. He's UK's most decorated player, national champ, POY etc. I get the one year argument, but sometimes you've gotta accept special circumstances.
After those three, it's a tough call.
Gonna need more mountain.
Wall is a great comparison to Mash, but considering where we were, it's gotta be Mash with the nod of importance. Our image was done. Probationa and nearly death penalty. He stabilized this program for 3 years counting his commitment that allowed some dominos to fall. He returned UK to the future and pulled it from the past.
Issel from the Rupp era.
Goose from the Hall era.
Mash from the Pitino era.
AD from the Cal era.
Goose from the Hall era.
Mash from the Pitino era.
AD from the Cal era.
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