Kentucky Basketball's Greatest Centers: A Legacy of Excellence

By Justin Rubin September 05, 2024 05:44

Photo by Chet White | UK Athletic

Basketball in Kentucky is very much a championship tradition; it walks hand-in-hand with excellence and history built around the sport. The University of Kentucky's basketball program is a long story steeped in excellence thanks to its passionate fan base, iconic coaches, and decades-old reputation for giving the NBA quality draftees. Amidst it all, the center position has played a crucial role in this success, as its position has grown by leaps and bounds over the years to produce some of the most dominant players in college basketball. The article looks back at the greatest centers in Kentucky program history and their impact on the sport.

Dan Issel

Career Statistics & Achievements

Dan Issel is easily one of the best players to have ever played for Kentucky Basketball. Issel played for the UK from 1967 to 1970 and is forever regarded as one of the greatest players in the program's history. He averaged 25.7 points and 13 rebounds during his three years in college, scoring more than anyone else in Kentucky history, which remains a record.

Awards and Contributions

Issel was more than just a scorer for this Top 50 ABA player. A two-time All-American, he captained the 1970 UK team in an SEC Championship. Following his college years, Issel had a stellar professional career in both the ABA and NBA that culminated with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Sam Bowie

Career Statistics & Achievements

Although his career was riddled with injuries, Sam Bowie revolutionized the game as a Kentucky Wildcat. He tallied 13.4 points, 8.8 boards, and swatted away 2.3 shots per game and was a force down low for Kentucky throughout his college career.

Awards and Contributions

In many ways, Bowie's career was defined by that type of talent and tenacity. An All-American in 1984, he helped Kentucky to a Final Four appearance that season. Injuries plagued Bowie's professional career, but he is still revered in Kentucky basketball lore.

Anthony Davis

Career Statistics & Achievements

The 2011-12 stand-out Anthony Davis is one of the most decorated centers in Kentucky history. He averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and a nation-best of 4.7 blocks per game en route to guiding Kentucky to the national championship in 2012

Awards and Contributions

The impact Davis had right off the bat was immediate and huge. He would win the Naismith College Player of the Year award, be the SEC Player of the Year, and be the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. His defensive ability and versatility at center had never been seen in a Kentucky uniform.

DeMarcus Cousins

Career Stats and Achievements

DeMarcus Cousins also formed an incredibly talented duo with John Wall for a Kentucky team that ranked first nationally in 2009-2010. He provided 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds and would block nearly two shots a game while helping the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of March Madness.

Awards and Contributions

The big man was an SEC First-Teamer and Second-Team All-American. His size, length, and skill made him a matchup nightmare for the opposition. Cousins would go on to a productive NBA career with multiple teams.

Karl-Anthony Towns

Career Stats and Accomplishments

Over his first three games, he averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks a game. KAT was named SEC Freshman of the Year and a consensus Second-Team All-American. His ability to do this and much more made him a hot commodity. He came out of college in the 2015 NBA Draft and was taken with the no 1 pick.

Impact on the Game

Big men at Kentucky have been key players in defining the Wildcat's style of play. Their dominance inside the paint and on defense has been enough for Kentucky to establish a solid foundation as an elite defensive team. In addition, talents such as Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns have allowed Kentucky to adopt a more modern style of play pick and roll or stretch offenses.

Legacy and Recognition

Impact On Future Generations

In addition to their accolades, the legacy of Kentucky's greatest centers doesn't entirely lie in awards. Their example has served as a reminder for players to follow in their footsteps and established the benchmark of quality required to be considered one of Kentucky's great centers. Moreover, their success has only added to the illustrious history of Kentucky basketball and further confirmed that it is one of football's elite programs.

A history of greatness, one that speaks to the innovation and influence left behind by its most accomplished centers. From the dominant presence of Dan Issel to the versatile brilliance of Anthony Davis, these players have stood out within a program that's one itself. They've left their imprint on what the center position has evolved into and kept Kentucky among college basketball's elite.