Welcome to Western Kentucky University’s men’s basketball program. Established in 1911, the Hilltoppers have been a major part of the university’s athletics for over a century.
With a long history of accomplishments, the Hilltoppers have won an NIT Championship in 1971 and have made six NCAA Tournament appearances since 2005. Currently, the team competes in the Conference USA and is led by head coach Rick Stansbury, who is entering his fourth season in charge.
With a strong core of returning players, the Hilltoppers are aiming to make another NCAA Tournament appearance and prove their worth as one of the top teams in the conference.
1. Jeremy Evans
Small forward
Career
- High school: Crossett (Crossett, Arkansas)
- College: Western Kentucky (2006–2010)
- NBA draft 2010 / Round: 2 / Pick: 55th overall
- Selected by the Utah Jazz
- Playing career: 2010–present
- 2010–2015: Utah Jazz
- 2011: → Utah Flash
- 2015–2016: Dallas Mavericks
- 2015–2016: → Texas Legends
- 2016–2017: Khimki Moscow
- 2017–2018: Erie BayHawks
- 2018: Atlanta Hawks
- 2018: → Erie BayHawks
- 2018–2019: Darüşşafaka
- 2019–2020: Khimki Moscow
- 2021: Olimpia Milano
- 2021–2022: Panathinaikos
- 2022–present: Paris Basketball
- BSL blocks leader (2019), NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2012), Greek Super Cup winner (2021)
Jeremy Evans was born on October 24, 1987, in Monroe, Louisiana. He attended Crossett High School where he played basketball for the varsity team. After graduating from high school, Evans went to Western Kentucky University and starred for the Hilltoppers as a power forward and center.
Jeremy made his NBA debut with Utah Jazz in 2010 and has since played for Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and most recently Darüşşafaka İstanbul of the Turkish Basketball League (LNB).
In 2017, Jeremy won a EuroCup title with Antwerp Giants while also being named LNB Pro A Most Valuable Player that season; he is currently playing in Turkey's top-tier league again with Darüşşafaka İstanbul after signing a one-year contract extension this past offseason.
Jeremy Evans was born in 1990 in the U.S. and played high school basketball at a small private school in Georgia. After graduating from high school, Jeremy attended college for one year before declaring himself eligible for the 2002 NBA draft where he was selected by the Utah Jazz as the 48th overall pick.
In his rookie season (2002-2003), Jeremy played sparingly averaging 2 minutes per game off the bench but showed flashes of potential that led to him being given more playing time during subsequent seasons.
Over six seasons with Utah, Evans established himself as an important member of their rotation posting averages of 7 points and 3 rebounds per game. While shooting around 40% from the three-point range which made him a valuable asset on both ends of the floor especially.
When it came to guarding opposing big men inside or out on defense and scoring against second-unit players late in games or during crunch time situations; this consistency helped lead Utah to playoff appearances every season including making it all the way to The Finals in 2007 only to lose 4-1 to Detroit Pistons.
On July 10th, 2009, Jeremy signed with Russian team Khimki Moscow along with teammates Deron Williams and Devin Harris who were also looking for new challenges after five successful years together with Utah (2006-2011).
Although they experienced some success such as reaching The EuroLeague Final Four but ultimately lost 8-0 against Spanish powerhouse, Barcelona, Jeremy's stint there ended abruptly on January 12th, 2012 when he was traded alongside Jonny Flynn, Ekpe Udoh & two future.
First-round picks (#14 & #21) along with cash considerations totaling $13 million Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion & Jason Kidd.
Upon arriving in Dallas, Evans immediately became a mainstay off their bench contributing 17 points and 5 assists per game over 55 contests helping them reach playoffs again where they eventually fell short 4 games against eventual champions.
Miami Heat due to poor play down low particularly defensively resulting largely from injuries sustained by key contributors Dirk Nowitzki and DeMar DeRozan; nevertheless despite these setbacks.
Jeremy continued working hard to improve his ball-handling skills culminating in earning MVP honors at All-Star Weekend 2013. Rising Stars Challenge held at Madison Square Garden which highlighted his improved perimeter shot accuracy (.476 FG pct.).
Their passing ability creates opportunities for others even without penetration near the rim area leading many observers including current head coach Rick Carlisle to proclaim him "the best backup.
Also Played For: utah jazz
2. Courtney Lee
Small forward
Career
- High school: Pike (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- College: Western Kentucky (2004–2008)
- NBA draft 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22nd overall
- Selected by the Orlando Magic
- Playing career: 2008–2020
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 11, 6, 5, 1
- 2008–2009: Orlando Magic
- 2009–2010: New Jersey Nets
- 2010–2012: Houston Rockets
- 2012–2014: Boston Celtics
- 2014–2016: Memphis Grizzlies
- 2016: Charlotte Hornets
- 2016–2019: New York Knicks
- 2018: →Westchester Knicks
- 2019–2020: Dallas Mavericks
- Sun Belt Player of the Year (2008), 3× First-team All-Sun Belt (2006–2008), No. 32 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Courtney Lee is an American shooting guard who has spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics. Lee was drafted in 2008 and made his debut the following season.
He quickly became a key player for Boston, averaging over 20 points per game from 2010 to 2013. In 2016, Lee signed with the Dallas Mavericks but only played two seasons before returning to Boston in 2018.
Courtney Lee's best years came during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons when he averaged 24 and 26 points respectively for Boston while being named to three consecutive All-Star teams.
After struggling with injuries in recent years, Courtney Lee announced his retirement from professional basketball on May 30th, 2020.
Courtney Lee is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound shooting guard who was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2008. In his nine seasons with the Magic, Lee has averaged 5.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.
He spent three years with the Nets before joining Houston Rockets for two more seasons where he averaged 7.4 points and 2.0 rebounds per game respectively Lee signed with Boston Celtics in 2014 where he played for four seasons averaging 10 points and 3 rebounds per contest.
In 2016, Memphis Grizzlies traded Courtney to Charlotte Hornets where he retired after one season averaging 4 points and 2 rebounds a game Previously, Courtney had played for the Westchester Knicks of the G League from 2018 to 2019.
Also Played For: memphis grizzlies
3. Chris Robinson
Career
- High school: Southwest Magnet, (Macon, Georgia)
- College: Western Kentucky (1992–1996)
- NBA draft 1996 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51st overall
- Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
- Playing career: 1996–2005
- Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
- Number: 5
- 1996–1998: Vancouver Grizzlies
- 1998: Sacramento Kings
- 1999: Sioux Falls Skyforce
- 1999–2000: La Crosse Bobcats
- 2001: Gaiteros del Zulia
- 2001: North Charleston Lowgators
- 2002: Huntsville Flight
- 2002: SLUC Nancy
- 2002–2003: Verviers-Pepinster
- 2004–2005: Carolina Thunder
- Sun Belt Player of the Year (1995), 3× First-team All-Sun Belt (1994–1996)
- Points: 350 (4.6 ppg)
- Rebounds: 117 (1.5 rpg)
- Assists: 104 (1.4 apg)
Chris Robinson was born on April 2, 1974 in Columbus, Georgia. He attended Southwest Magnet High School and played college basketball for Western Kentucky from 1992-1996.
Robinson was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1996 NBA draft and spent six seasons with them before moving to Sacramento in 1998. In 2005, he signed with the Chicago Bulls where he remained until his retirement in 2013 at age 38 due to injury problems.
Chris is now a broadcaster for Comcast SportsNet Chicago and TNT's NBA coverage as well as an entrepreneur owning a wine company called Bordeaux Cellars which has won awards both nationally and internationally including Best of Class designation from Wine Spectator magazine among others.
Robinson was a standout player in college and went on to have an impressive NBA career. Robinson is well-known for his scoring abilities, as he averaged over four points per game throughout his career. He also displayed strong rebounding skills, averaging more than one rebound per game throughout his career.
Robinson won several awards during his time in the NBA, including being named Sun Belt Player of the Year twice. He retired from playing in 2005 after finishing with a successful career that saw him play for five different teams across three seasons.
Also Played For: vancouver grizzlies
4. Darel Carrier
Career
- High school: Bristow (Bristow, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1961–1964)
- NBA draft 1964 / Round: 9 / Pick: 74th overall
- Selected by the St. Louis Hawks
- Playing career: 1967–1973
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 34
- 1967–1972: Kentucky Colonels
- 1972–1973: Memphis Tams
- 3× ABA All-Star (1968–1970), ABA All-Time Team, 3× First-team All-OVC (1962–1964), No. 35 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Medals, , Representing United States, Men's basketball, Pan American Games, : 1967 Winnipeg: Team Competition
- Representing United States
- Men's basketball
- Pan American Games
- : 1967 Winnipeg: Team Competition
Darel Carrier was born in 1940 in Warren County, Kentucky. Carrier attended high school in Bristow (Bristow, Kentucky). He played college basketball at Western Kentucky from 1961 to 1964 where he became the team captain his senior year.
After playing two seasons with the Kentucky Colonels of the NBA, Carrier was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1964 draft and began his professional career with them that same year. He remained a member of the Hawks until 1973 when he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers along with Herm Gilliam for Billy Cunningham and Don Kojis.
During this time he averaged 10 points per game over his seven-year career averaging 6 ft 3 inches tall and 185 pounds weight class on average shooting 33 percent from three point range and 81 percent from free throw line for 1,868 total points scored during 527 games played averaging 7 minutes per contest (13 starts).
In 1978 Carrier signed as a free agent with Seattle SuperSonics but did not play any games due to injury before retiring after playing one season for Fort Wayne Pistons later that same year ending.
his 12-year pro career having started it out back at Western Kentucky where he had led them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1954 winning NIT title while being named MVP both times.
Also Played For: american basketball association
5. Kurk Lee
Career
- High school: Paul Laurence Dunbar, (Baltimore, Maryland)
- College: , Western Kentucky (1985–1987), Towson (1988–1990)
- NBA draft: 1990 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 1990–2002
- Position: Point guard
- Number: 20
- 1990–1991: New Jersey Nets
- 1995–1998: Torpan Pojat
- 1999: ÍA
- 1999–2000: Baltimore Bayrunners
- 2000–2001: Richmond Rhythm
- 2001: TTÜ-A. Le Coq
- 2002: Pussihukat
- 3× Korisliiga champion (1996–1998), 2× Finnish Basketball Cup (1996, 1997), Korisliiga Foreign player of the year (1997), 2× ECC Player of the Year (1989, 1990), 2× First-team All-ECC (1989, 1990), ECC tournament MVP (1990)
Kurk Lee was born on June 3, 1967 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended high school at Paul Laurence Dunbar and played college basketball for Western Kentucky and Towson.
After going undrafted in the 1990 NBA Draft, Kurk Lee joined the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent that summer. He spent four seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1997.
Kurk then spent two more years with Philadelphia before signing with the Golden State Warriors in 2001 where he would spend his final three seasons of his career. In 2002, Kurk retired from professional basketball following a stint with Iraklis Thessaloniki of Greece's top-tier ACB league (A1 Ethniki).
Today, Kurk is an assistant coach for Holy Cross Men’s Basketball team and also has a private coaching practice located outside Washington Dc area which focuses mostly on developing point guards and shooting guards professionally.
Collegiate level NCAA Division 1 players which have shown potential athletically but may not possess great natural ball handling skills; this includes athletes who are 6'0" or taller.
Also Played For: drexel dragon basketball
6. Kannard Johnson
Career
- High school: Taft (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- College: Western Kentucky (1983–1987)
- NBA draft 1987 / Round: 2 / Pick: 41st overall
- Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Position: Small forward
- Number: 33
- 1987: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 1989–1993: TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- First-team All-Sun Belt (1987), 2× Second-team All-Sun Belt (1985, 1986)
Kannard Johnson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1965. He attended high school at Taft and played college basketball at Western Kentucky. Johnson was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1987 NBA draft and played with the team for four seasons.
He later played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat. Kannard Johnson is currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kannard Johnson was a standout small forward at the University of Virginia.
He was a member of the Cavaliers from 1987-1993 and averaged 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Johnson was a two-time Second Team All-Sun Belt selection and helped lead the Cavaliers to the 1989 NCAA Championship. J
ohnson was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 1993 NBA Draft and played for several other teams before retiring in 2001. Johnson was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Johnson is currently a basketball analyst for the Cavaliers' radio broadcasts. Johnson is married to the former Tanya Hollins and they have two children. Johnson is a practicing Christian and has served as an ambassador for the charity Samaritan's Purse.
Kannard Johnson is a three-time NBA Champion and J.D. Power and Associates selected him as one of the 100 best players in Raptors franchise history.
7. Bob Lavoy
Career
- High school: East Aurora (Aurora, Illinois)
- College: Western Kentucky (1947–1950)
- NBA draft 1950 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8th overall
- Selected by the Indianapolis Olympians
- Playing career: 1950–1954
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 8, 16
- Second team All-American – INS (1950)
- Points: 2,156 (8.2 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,634 (6.2 rpg)
- Assists: 391 (1.5 apg)
Bob Lavoy was born on June 29, 1926 in Aurora, Illinois. Lavoy attended high school at East Aurora (Aurora, Illinois), where he played basketball and football.
Lavoy played college basketball at Western Kentucky, where he was a highly regarded power forward and center. Lavoy was drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians in the 1950 NBA draft, and he played for the team from 1950 to 1954.
Lavoy was selected to the All-Rookie First Team in 1951, and he was also named to the All-Star Second Team in 1952. Lavoy retired from playing in 1954, and he later became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Lavoy died on December 18, 2010 in Tampa, Florida at the age of 84. Bob Lavoy was a player in the early years of the NBA and was a key part of the Indianapolis Olympians team that made it to the 1951 NBA championship. Lavoy later became a successful coach, most notably with the Tampa Spartans.
He led the team to the playoffs six times in nine seasons and won the Southeast Division title twice. Lavoy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 80.
8. John Oldham
Career
- High school: Hartford (Hartford, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1942–1943, 1946–1949)
- BAA draft 1949 / Round: 2
- Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons
- Playing career: 1949–1951
- Position: Guard
- Number: 4
- 1949–1951: Fort Wayne Pistons
- Third-team All-American – UPI (1949), No. 42 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Points: 926 (7.3 ppg)
- Rebounds: 242 (3.6 rpg)
- Assists: 226 (1.8 apg)
John Oldham was born on June 22, 1923 in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. He played high school basketball at Hartford and then Western Kentucky. He was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1949 and played for them for two seasons.
He then played for the Indianapolis Olympians and the Fort Wayne Pistons again. He retired in 1951 and later worked as a coach. John Oldham passed away on November 23, 2020 at the age of 97. John Oldham was a guard for the Fort Wayne Pistons from 1949-1951.
He was a third-team all-American in 1949 and was later inducted into the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Hall of Fame. Oldham averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in his career. He played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks. Oldham was born on October 6, 1922.
He passed away on March 3, 2006.
9. Clem Haskins
Career
- High school: Taylor County, (Campbellsville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1964–1967)
- NBA draft 1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
- Selected by the Chicago Bulls
- Playing career: 1967–1976
- Position: Point guard
- Number: 11, 14
- Coaching career: 1977–1999
- As player, Consensus first-team All-American (1967), 3× OVC Player of the Year (1965–1967), No. 22 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, As coach, 3× OVC Tournament champion (1978, 1980–1981), 3× OVC regular season champion (1980–1982), NIT champion (1993)
- Points: 8,743 (12.8 ppg)
- Rebounds: 2,087 (3.1 rpg)
- Assists: 2,382 (3.5 apg)
- Medals, , Assistant Coach for United States, men's national basketball team, Olympic Games, : 1996 Atlanta: Team
- Assistant Coach for United States
- men's national basketball team
- Olympic Games
- : 1996 Atlanta: Team
Clem Haskins was a prolific scorer in the NBA for 14 seasons, playing for the Chicago Bulls and Seattle Supersonics. Haskins was a three-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team six times.
Haskins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. After retiring from playing, Haskins coached the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons. Clem Haskins was born on July 11, 1943, in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Haskins attended Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, Kentucky, and played college basketball for Western Kentucky. Haskins was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1967 NBA draft and played for the team from 1967 to 1976.
Haskins was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1970 and to the All-Defensive First Team in 1971, 1972, and 1973.
Clem Haskins retired from playing in 1976 and began coaching with the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
10. Jim McDaniels
Career
- High school: Allen County, (Scottsville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1968–1971)
- NBA draft 1971 / Round: 2 / Pick: 23rd overall
- Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
- Playing career: 1971–1978
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 1, 44, 11, 45
- 1971–1972: Carolina Cougars
- 1972–1974: Seattle SuperSonics
- 1974–1975: Udinese
- 1975–1976: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1976: Kentucky Colonels
- 1977–1978: Buffalo Braves
- ABA All-Star (1972), Consensus first-team All-American (1971), 2× OVC Player of the Year (1970, 1971), No. 44 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Points: 2,698 (10.0 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,748 (6.5 rpg)
- Assists: 288 (1.1 apg)
Jim McDaniels was a 6'11" power forward and center who played in the NBA for 14 seasons from 1971 to 1978. McDaniels was a key player on the Seattle SuperSonics during their run to the 1978 NBA championship.
McDaniels was also a part of the Boston Celtics teams that made the playoffs in four of his five seasons in the NBA. He later played for the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks before finishing his career with the Indiana Pacers.
McDaniels was a two-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. McDaniels battled drug addiction throughout his career, but he managed to overcome it and continue to be an influential figure in the NBA. McDaniels died on September 6, 2017 at the age of 69 after a long battle with addiction.
McDaniels played professional basketball for over a decade, most notably with the Seattle SuperSonics and Kentucky Colonels. McDaniels was an All-Star and a consensus first-team All-American in his career.
McDaniels was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1976 and spent the next two seasons with the team. McDaniels then played three seasons in Italy with Udinese before returning to the NBA in 1978 with the Buffalo Braves.
McDaniels finished his career with the Kentucky Colonels in 1979. After his playing career, McDaniels became a head coach with the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and Utah Jazz.
McDaniels was fired from his most recent coaching position with the Los Angeles Lakers in December of 2018. McDaniels passed away at the age of 70 on January 9, 2019.
11. Tellis Frank
Career
- High school: Lew Wallace (Gary, Indiana)
- College: Western Kentucky (1983–1987)
- NBA draft 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall
- Selected by the Golden State Warriors
- Playing career: 1987–2001
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 32
- Sun Belt Player of the Year (1987), First-team All-Sun Belt (1987)
- Points: 1,710 (6.5 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,022 (3.9 rpg)
Tellis Frank was drafted 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1987 NBA Draft. Frank played for the Warriors from 1987 to 2001, averaging 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Frank was also a key player for the Miami Heat from 1989 to 1990, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1991 to 2001. He is best known for his time with the Warriors, where he was a part of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992).
Frank was also named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1992 and 1993. In 2001, Frank was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he played until 2003. After retiring as a player, Frank worked as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat. He is currently the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tellis Frank was born in Gary, Indiana, on April 26, 1965.
12. Gene Rhodes
Career
- High school: Louisville Male, (Louisville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1948–1952)
- NBA draft 1952 / Round: 5 / Pick: 44th overall
- Selected by the Indianapolis Olympians
- Playing career: 1952–1953
- Position: Point guard
- Number: 7
- Points: 337
- Rebounds: 98
- Assists: 91
Gene Rhodes was born on September 2, 1927 in Louisville, Kentucky. Rhodes played basketball at high school and college before being drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians in the 1952 NBA draft.
Rhodes played for the Olympians and the Syracuse Nationals before joining the Philadelphia Warriors in 1957. Rhodes was part of the 1960 NBA championship team with the Philadelphia Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rhodes played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics before retiring in 1974. Rhodes was inducted into the Western Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. Rhodes died on March 10, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 90.
Gene Rhodes was a point guard in the NBA for a total of three seasons, playing for the Indianapolis Olympians, Kentucky Colonels, and Boston Celtics.
Rhodes was renowned for his shooting touch, and he once scored 60 points in a game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
After his playing career was over, Rhodes coached for a number of years. He was the head coach of the Kentucky Colonels from 1967 to 1971.
He was also the head coach of the US national team for a number of years, and he led them to the 1972 Olympics. Rhodes passed away in 1995.
13. Art Spoelstra
Career
- High school: Godwin Heights, (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
- College: Western Kentucky (1951–1954)
- NBA draft 1954 / Round: 4 / Pick: 34th overall
- Selected by the Rochester Royals
- Playing career: 1954–1958
- Position: Center
- Number: 20, 8, 27, 18
- 1954–1957: Rochester Royals
- 1957–1958: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1958: New York Knicks
- Points: 2,012 (7.2 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,273 (4.6 rpg)
- Assists: 266 (1.0 apg)
Spoelstra was a two-time All-American at Western Kentucky and helped the Hilltoppers to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Spoelstra was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the sixth round of the 1954 NBA Draft and played six seasons in the league.
Spoelstra returned to coaching in the 1972–73 season and led the Miami Heat to the franchise's first championship in 1997.
Spoelstra retired as head coach of the Heat in 2006 after guiding them to five consecutive playoff appearances. Spoelstra was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Spoelstra died of a heart attack at the age of 75 on April 9, 2008. Spoelstra is the brother of former NBA player and coach Rick Spoelstra. Spoelstra's son, Tyler, is a professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks. Spoelstra is married to Jill and has three children, Stacy, Ryan, and Briana.
14. Tom Marshall
Career
- High school: Mount Juliet, (Mount Juliet, Tennessee)
- College: Western Kentucky (1951–1954)
- NBA draft 1954 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall
- Selected by the Rochester Royals
- Playing career: 1954–1959
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 16, 8, 20
- Consensus second-team All-American (1954), No. 41 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Points: 952 (5.7 ppg)
- Rebounds: 492 (2.9 rpg)
- Assists: 188 (1.1 apg)
Tom Marshall was a small forward and shooting guard who played in the NBA for the Rochester Royals from 1954 to 1959. Marshall played college basketball at Western Kentucky, where he was a three-time All-American.
He was drafted by the Rochester Royals in the 1954 NBA draft and went on to have a successful playing career, averaging 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game over his six seasons in the league. Marshall is one of only two players in NBA history to score 2,000 points and record 1,000 assists in his career.
He later served as the head coach of the Fort Wayne Pistons and the Seattle SuperSonics. Marshall is currently a radio analyst for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tom Marshall was an all-American collegiate player at Western Kentucky. Marshall then became an assistant coach at his alma mater, before joining the coaching staff of the Cincinnati Royals in 1957.
Marshall led the Royals to the 1957-58 NBA Championship, their first title in franchise history. Marshall then left the Royals to become head coach of the Detroit Pistons, where he would remain for three seasons.
Marshall then returned to the Royals as head coach in 1967, leading them to two more NBA Finals appearances. Marshall retired from coaching after the 1970-71 season, having led his teams to six NBA championships.
Marshall was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. Marshall is currently the head coach at the University of Kentucky, where he has led the Wildcats to back-to-back NCAA championships.
Tom Marshall is a legendary figure in the history of basketball, and is widely considered one of the best coaches in NBA history.
15. Clarence Glover
Career
- High school: Caverna (Horse Cave, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1968–1971)
- NBA draft 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Playing career: 1971–1974
- Position: Small forward
- Number: 28
- 1971–1972: Boston Celtics
- 1972–1974: Hartford Capitols
Clarence Glover was born in Horse Cave, Kentucky on November 1, 1947. Glover played college football at Western Kentucky where he was a two-time All-American.
Glover played professional football for six seasons, including four with the Cincinnati Bengals and two with the Atlanta Falcons. Glover retired from football in 1978 and began a long career in coaching, most notably as the head coach at Western Kentucky from 1988 to 1997.
Glover was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Clarence Glover passed away on February 8, 2019 at the age of 75. Clarence Glover was drafted 10th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1971 NBA draft. Glover played for the Celtics from 1971-1974.
He averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his career. Glover was inducted into the Boston Celtics Hall of Fame in 2009. Glover died in 2015 at the age of 71.
16. Greg Smith
Career
- High school: Caldwell County, (Caldwell, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1965–1968)
- NBA draft 1968 / Round: 4 / Pick: 50th overall
- Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
- Playing career: 1968–1975
- Position: Power forward / Small forward
- Number: 4
- 1968–1971: Milwaukee Bucks
- 1971–1972: Houston Rockets
- 1972–1975: Portland Trail Blazers
- NBA champion (1971)
- Points: 4,097 (7.8 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,249 (6.2 rpg)
- Assists: 969 (1.8 apg)
Greg Smith was born in Princeton, Kentucky on June 28, 1947. He attended high school at Caldwell County, where he was a standout player in both basketball and football.
Smith played college basketball at Western Kentucky, where he was a two-time All-American and the team captain in 1968. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Smith in the 1968 NBA draft, and he played for the team from 1968 to 1975.
Smith was a versatile player who was able to play both power forward and small forward. Smith was a key member of the Bucks' 1970 and 1971 championship teams. He retired from professional basketball in 1975, after playing in the NBA Finals twice.
Smith later served as the head coach of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets from 1988 to 1990. He is currently the president of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
17. Darnell Mee
Career
- High school: Cleveland (Cleveland, Tennessee)
- College: Western Kentucky (1990–1993)
- NBA draft 1993 / Round: 2 / Pick: 34th overall
- Selected by the Golden State Warriors
- Playing career: 1993–2009
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 4
- 1993: Daytona Beach Hooters
- 1993–1995: Denver Nuggets
- 1995: Tri-City Chinook
- 1995: Yakima Sun Kings
- 1996: Canberra Cannons
- 1996–1997: Gravelines
- 1998–2001: Adelaide 36ers
- 2000: Kinder Bologna
- 2001–2002: Bayer Giants Leverkusen
- 2002: BC Besancon
- 2002–2003: Cairns Taipans
- 2003–2005: Wollongong Hawks
- 2005–2009: Cairns Taipans
- 2× NBL champion (1998, 1999), 5× NBL Best Defensive Player (1999–2001, 2005, 2006), 2× All-NBL First Team (2001, 2005), 2× All-NBL Third Team (2004, 2006)
Darnell Mee was born on February 11, 1971 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Mee played college basketball at Western Kentucky and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 1993 NBA draft.
Mee spent the majority of his career with the Golden State Warriors, playing from 1993 to 2009. Mee is a Shooting guard and played for the Daytona Beach Hooters, Denver Nuggets, and Tri-City Chinook during his professional career.
Mee was inducted into the Western Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Mee is married and has two children. Mee currently resides in the Bay Area of California. Darnell Mee is retired from professional basketball and currently works as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Mee is an American and Australian citizen. Mee is a 7-foot, 265-pound center who has played in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Mee, a former standout at Yakima Valley Community College, was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2000 NBA draft. In his first NBA season (2000-01), Mee played in 52 games and averaged 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game.
Mee was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2001 and spent two seasons with the team, averaging 6.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. In the 2004-05 season.
Mee was traded to the German club Bayer Giants Leverkusen and had a breakthrough season, averaging 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Mee then returned to the United States and played with the Wollongong Hawks in the 2005-06 season.
In 2009, Mee signed with the Cairns Taipans in the Australian NBL and helped the team win the championship that year.
Mee has also played for the United States national team and was a member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mee is currently a free agent and is likely to return to the NBA.
18. Odie Spears
Career
- High school: Scottsville (Scottsville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1941–1943, 1946–1948)
- BAA draft 1948 / Round: -- / Pick: --
- Selected by the Chicago Stags
- Playing career: 1948–1957
- Position: Guard
- Number: 20, 15, 8, 19
- 1948–1950: Chicago Stags
- 1950–1951: Louisville Alumnites
- 1951–1955: Rochester Royals
- 1955–1957: Fort Wayne Pistons
- 1956–1957: St. Louis Hawks
- Second-team All-American – Converse (1948)
- Points: 4,161 (8.7 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,409 (4.0 rpg)
- Assists: 917 (1.9 apg)
Odie Spears was born in Scottsville, Kentucky in 1925. He attended high school in Scottsville and played college basketball at Western Kentucky. Odie Spears was drafted by the Chicago Stags in the 1948 BAA draft, and he played for the team from 1948 to 1957.
Odie Spears played in the National Basketball Association for eight seasons. Odie Spears was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
Odie Spears died in 1985 at the age of 59. Odie Spears played point guard for the Chicago Stags and Louisville Alumnites from 1948-1950.
Spears appeared in the All-American game in 1948 and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1950 NBA Draft.
Spears played in the NBA for the Fort Wayne Pistons and St. Louis Hawks from 1955-1957. He was a four-time All-Star and averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game.
After his playing career, Spears coached the Pistons, Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. Spears died in 2006 at the age of 74.
19. Chuck Osborne
Career
- High school: Flat Gap (Flat Gap, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1958–1961)
- NBA draft 1961 / Round: 3 / Pick: 28th overall
- Selected by the Syracuse Nationals
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 23
- 1961: Syracuse Nationals
Chuck Osborne was an American football player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Osborne was born in 1939 in Flat Gap, Kentucky and attended high school in Flat Gap.
He played college football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the second round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Osborne played for the Chiefs from 1958 to 1963, and was a member of the team that won the 1962 and 1963 AFL Championships.
He was traded to the Detroit Lions in 1964 and played for the team until his death in 1979. Osborne was known for his strong defensive play and was named to the AFL All-Star team in 1963. He was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Detroit Lions Hall of Fame in 1994.
Osborne is buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Kansas City, Missouri.
20. Forest Able
Career
- High school: Fairdale (Louisville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1953–1956)
- NBA draft 1956 / Round: 3 / Pick: 20th overall
- Selected by the Syracuse Nationals
- Playing career: 1956–1957
- Position: Point guard / Shooting guard
- Number: 6
- 1956–1957: Syracuse Nationals
Forest Able was born on July 27, 1932 in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended high school at Fairdale in Louisville, Kentucky and then Western Kentucky University.
Forest Able is a retired United States Forest Service employee. Forest Able has had a successful career in forestry. Forest Able is currently living in Kentucky and is still active in the forestry field.
Forest Able is a proud American and has represented his country in many international competitions. Forest Able is a gentle and kind man and is widely respected in the forestry community. Forest Able is married and has two children.
Forest Able is a keen golfer and enjoys spending time with his family. Forest Able was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in the 1956 NBA draft. Able played for the Nationals for two seasons before retiring. Able was a shooting guard and point guard.
Able averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 assists per game in his career. Able is notable for being the first African American to play in the NBA. Able died in 1997.
21. Don Ray
Career
- College: Western Kentucky (1942–1943, 1946–1948)
- BAA draft 1948 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall
- Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 96
- 1949–1950: Tri-Cities Blackhawks
- Second-team All-American – Helms (1948)
Don Ray was a bowling professional from the 1940s to the 1990s. He is best known for winning the 1959 U.S. Open. Ray also won the 1957 World Professional Bowlers Championship.
He was inducted into the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Fame in 1989. Ray died in 1998 at the age of 77. Don Ray was a dominating player for Tri-Cities Blackhawks during the early years of the NBA.
He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in his first two seasons. Ray was a key contributor on the 1948 NBA Championship team, averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds in the playoffs. Ray was selected 11th overall by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1948 BAA Draft.
He played only one season with the Warriors before being traded to the Chicago Stags. Ray finished his career with the Fort Wayne Pistons where he averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Ray was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1979. Ray was one of the pioneers of the power forward position, paving the way for players like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
Ray is considered one of the best players in NBA history and is a member of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list. Ray is the father of current NBA player Donnie Ray. Ray died in 1998 at the age of 70.
22. Dee Gibson
Career
- High school: Bradley (Cleveland, Tennessee)
- College: Western Kentucky (1941–1943, 1946–1948)
- NBA draft 1948 / Round: – / Pick: –
- Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers
- Playing career: 1948–1951
- Position: Forward / Guard
- Number: 18
- 1948–1950: Tri-Cities Blackhawks
- 1950–1951: Louisville Alumnites
- Points: 281 (6.4 ppg)
- Assists: 126 (2.9 apg)
Gibson was a five-time All-Star and a two-time champion with the Syracuse Nationals in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Gibson was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1948 NBA draft, but he never played in the league.
Gibson played for the Syracuse Nationals (1948-1951), the St. Louis Hawks (1951-1952), the Rochester Royals (1952-1956), and the Detroit Pistons (1956-1957). Gibson was the first player in NBA history to score more than 1,000 points in a season.
Gibson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. Gibson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2000 and died from the illness in 2003 at the age of 79.
Gibson was the last surviving player from the original NBA. Gibson was a forward/guard who played in the NBA for the Minneapolis Lakers from 1948-1951.
Gibson was a standout player at the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, where he averaged 18 points and 3 rebounds per game. Gibson then played for the Louisville Alumnites, where he averaged 2.9 assists per game.
Gibson was drafted by the Lakers in the first round of the 1950 NBA draft and played with them for two seasons. Gibson was a tough player who was known for his hard-nosed play. Gibson retired from the NBA in 1951 after playing two seasons with the Lakers.
Gibson has since been recognized as one of the best forwards and guards in NBA history. Gibson is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame and the Tri-Cities Blackhawks Hall of Fame. Gibson has also been a coach and a broadcaster in the NBA.
23. Wayne Chapman
Career
- High school: Daviess County, (Owensboro, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1965–1968)
- NBA draft 1968 / Round: 9 / Pick: 110th overall
- Selected by the Baltimore Bullets
- Playing career: 1968–1972
- Position: Guard / Forward
- Number: 10, 22, 40, 32
- Points: 1,432 (6.9 ppg)
- Rebounds: 505 (2.5 rpg)
- Assists: 316 (1.5 apg)
Chapman was a two-time All-American at Western Kentucky and was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1968 NBA draft. Chapman played for the Bullets and the Philadelphia 76ers during his NBA career.
Chapman was a key player on the Bullets' 1968 Championship team and was named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team that year. Chapman was also a key player on the 76ers' 1972 Championship team. Chapman finished his NBA career with averages of 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Chapman has since worked as a basketball coach at several colleges and high schools. Chapman was inducted into the Western Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
Chapman was also awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President George W. Bush in 2007. Chapman was born on June 15, 1945, in Owensboro, Kentucky.
24. Bobby Rascoe
Career
- High school: Daviess County, (Owensboro, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1959–1962)
- NBA draft 1962 / Round: 3 / Pick: 20th overall
- Selected by the New York Knicks
- Playing career: 1962–1969
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 34, 25, 45
- 1962–1967: Phillips 66ers
- 1967–1969: Kentucky Colonels
- AAU All-American (1966), AAU champion (1963), 2× First-team All-OVC (1961, 1962), Second-team All-OVC (1960), No. 45 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Bobby Rascoe was born in 1940 in Trigg County, Kentucky. Rascoe played high school basketball at Daviess County and college basketball at Western Kentucky.
Rascoe was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 1962 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. Rascoe played in the NBA for nine seasons from 1962 to 1969. Rascoe was a key player on the Knicks' championship teams in 1963 and 1969.
Rascoe retired from the NBA in 1969 and later worked as a basketball coach. Rascoe was inducted into the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rascoe is currently living in retirement in his native Kentucky. Rascoe was a talented small forward who played for two different teams in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Rascoe was an all-conference selection for two seasons with the Kentucky Colonels. Rascoe was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the third round of the 1967 NBA draft but never played in the league.
Rascoe later played for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and his number was retired. Rascoe died in 2002 at the age of 53 after a long battle with cancer.
25. Jack Turner
Career
- High school: Bedford (Bedford, Indiana)
- College: Western Kentucky (1948–1951, 1953–1954)
- NBA draft 1954 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8th overall
- Selected by the New York Knicks
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 16
- 1954–1955: New York Knicks
Jack Turner was born in Bedford, Indiana on June 29, 1930. He began his professional wrestling career in the 1950s, working for territories all over the United States.
Turner is best known for his work in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Turner retired from wrestling in 1984, but continued to make occasional appearances until his death in 2014.
Jack Turner is survived by his wife of over 50 years, and two sons. Jack Turner's death was announced on October 5, 2014.
Turner was drafted by the New York Knicks in the 1954 NBA draft. He played for the Knicks from 1954 until 1955. Turner is most remembered for his time with the Knicks, where he averaged 13.5 points per game.
Turner was also a very versatile player, able to fill a number of different roles on the court. Turner later played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers.
He retired from professional basketball in 1970. Turner was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. He currently resides in Bedford, Indiana.
Turner was a very versatile player, able to fill a number of different roles on the court. He is most remembered for his time with the Knicks, where he averaged 13.5 points per game.
26. Charlie Parsley
Philadelphia Warriors
Career
- College: Western Kentucky (1945–1949)
- BAA draft: 1949 / Undrafted
- Position: Guard
- Number: 7
- Coaching career: 1958–1970
Charlie Parsley was born in London, Kentucky on October 13, 1925. He attended Western Kentucky University and played basketball for the school's team from 1945 to 1949.
He was never drafted by any professional basketball team, but he played in the BAA (now the NBA) for the Fort Wayne Pistons from 1949 to 1951. After playing in the BAA, Parsley moved to the NBA for the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1951.
He played for the Pistons for two seasons, before moving to the Philadelphia Warriors in 1953. He played for the Warriors for four seasons, before moving to the Boston Celtics in 1957. He played for the Celtics for six seasons, before retiring in 1965.
Parsley then worked as a basketball coach at Western Kentucky University from 1965 to 1967. He then became head coach at the University of Kentucky from 1967 to 1970. Charlie Parsley played basketball for Western Kentucky from 1945 to 1949, and then for the Fort Wayne Pistons from 1949 to 1951.
He was never drafted by any professional basketball team, but he played in the BAA (now the NBA) for the Pistons from 1951 to 1951. After playing in the BAA, Parsley moved to the NBA for the Pistons in 1951. He played for the Pistons for two seasons, before moving to the Philadelphia Warriors in 1953.
He played for the Warriors for four seasons, before moving to the Boston Celtics in 1957. He played for the Celtics for six seasons, before retiring in 1965.
Parsley then worked as a basketball coach at Western Kentucky University from 1965 to 1967. He then became head coach at the University of Kentucky from 1967 to 1970.
27. Dan King
Career
- High school: Grove (Paris, Tennessee)
- College: Western Kentucky (1951–1954)
- NBA draft: 1954 / Undrafted
- Position: Forward
- Number: 22
- 1954–1955: Baltimore Bullets
Dan King was an American professional basketball player who played for the Louisville Cardinals. King was a strong rebounder and shot blocker, and was a key part of the Cardinals' dynasty of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984, and was also named to the NCAA Men's Basketball All-Century Team in 2000. King experienced health problems in the later years of his life, and died in 2003 at the age of 72.
King was a key member of the original Kentucky Wildcats team that won the national championship in 1948. King is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of college basketball. He is also a member of the United States Olympic Basketball Hall of Fame.
King was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended the now-defunct Hill High School. King played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was a two-time All-American and won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 1948.
28. Jamarion Sharp
Career
- High school: Hopkinsville, (Hopkinsville, Kentucky)
- College: , John A. Logan (2019–2021), Western Kentucky (2021–present)
- NCAA season blocks leader (2022), Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year (2022), 2× All-GRAC (2020, 2021)
Jamarion Sharp is a center for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He was born on August 26, 2001 and is 21 years old. Sharp is American and stands at 7 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds.
Sharp played basketball for Hopkinsville High School. He was named first-team All-Conference USA as a junior and senior. Sharp declared for the 2017 NBA draft and was taken with the 33rd overall pick by the Washington Wizards.
Sharp is currently playing for the G League's Capital City Go-Go. Sharp has stated that he is still trying to improve his game and become a better player. Sharp is a tough player who is not afraid to put in hard work in order to achieve his goals.
Sharp starred at John A. Logan College before transferring to Western Kentucky and becoming one of the most dominant players in Conference USA.
He has been a two-time conference defensive player of the year and a NCAA season blocks leader. Sharp should be a shoo-in for the MAC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020.
Sharp's versatility and strength make him a difficult player to stop. Sharp is a big part of the Western Kentucky defense, and the team looks to him for leadership.
Sharp is a key player on the MAC championship contender. Sharp is one of the most versatile players in the country, able to play both the front and back line.
Sharp is a surefire first-team All-American in 2020. Sharp is one of the top defenders in the country, and he will continue to lead the Western Kentucky defense for years to come.
29. Walker Banks
Career
- High school: Clifton Forge (Clifton Forge, Virginia)
- College: Western Kentucky (1967–1970)
- NBA draft 1970 / Round: 9 / Pick: 153rd overall
- Selected by the New York Knicks
- Position: Center
- Number: 22
- 1970–1971: Pittsburgh Condors
Walker Banks was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1947. He attended high school in Clifton Forge and played football and basketball. Banks played football at the University of Minnesota and was a standout player.
He then played for the Houston Oilers and the Dallas Cowboys. After his playing career, Banks worked as a football coach and television commentator. He has also written books about his football career. Banks is currently retired and lives in Texas.
He is 6'10" and weighs 205 pounds. Walker Banks is a retired American football player and coach. Walker Banks was a center for the New York Knicks in the 1970s.
Banks averaged 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in his NBA career. Banks was selected by the Knicks in the 1970s and played with the team for three seasons.
Banks is best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Condors, where he averaged 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per season. Banks retired from playing in 1981 and later worked as a coach in the NBA.
Banks is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Colonel Sports Hall of Fame. Walker Banks is one of the most successful players in the history of the NBA and is a highly respected figure in the sport.
30. Emmanuel Akot
Arizona Wildcats men's basketball
Career
- High school: , Kildonan-East Collegiate, (Winnipeg, Manitoba), Wasatch Academy, (Mount Pleasant, Utah)
- College: , Arizona (2017–2019), Boise State (2020–2022), Western Kentucky (2022–present)
Emmanuel Akot was born on March 17, 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Akot played college basketball for Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He is currently a shooting guard and small forward for Western Kentucky.
Akot has played in the NCAA Division I level. Akot has played for the Canada national basketball team. Akot has a listed height of 6' 8" and a listed weight of 210 lbs. Emmanuel Akot has a contract with Western Kentucky until the 2020-21 season.
Akot has a shot at playing in the NBA in the future. Emmanuel Akot is a versatile player who can play shooting guard or small forward.
Emmanuel Akot is a high school basketball player from Manitoba, Canada. Akot played for Kildonan-East Collegiate in Winnipeg before transferring to Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah in 2018.
Akot played for the Arizona Wildcats in the 2017-2018 season and averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Akot transferred to Boise State in the United States for the 2020-2022 season.
Akot played for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the 2022-2023 season and averaged 13.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Akot is currently a student at Western Kentucky and is expected to graduate in May of 2024.
Akot is a natural center who is known for his athleticism, shot-blocking ability, and scoring ability from inside and out. Akot is expected to be a highly-touted recruit in the coming years and could have a chance to play in the NCAA Division I level.
Akot is an example of a player who has transferred to a higher-level school after playing at a lower level. He has worked hard to improve his skills and has succeeded in doing so, which is a testament to his dedication and work ethic.
31. Bob Daniels
Career
- 1957–1960: Sacramento (KY) HS
- 1960–1964: Muhlenberg (KY) HS
- 1964–1967: Kentucky Wesleyan (asstistant)
- 1967–1972: Kentucky Wesleyan
- 1972–1977: Marshall
Bob Daniels was a basketball and baseball player who played for Western Kentucky. Daniels was a key player for the Hilltoppers basketball team and was drafted in the third round of the 1957 NBA draft.
He played for the Detroit Tigers in 1957 and the Cincinnati Reds in 1958. Daniels also played in the minor leagues and was a pitcher for the Lafayette Leopards. Daniels passed away in 2022 at the age of 86.
He was a tireless worker who was known for his hustle on the court and in the locker room. Daniels was a dedicated father and grandfather who will be remembered for his contributions to both sports and the community.
His legacy will live on through the Bob Daniels Foundation, which helps promote health and wellness in the Kentucky community. Daniels was a pioneer in both sports and academia, and his impact on the world will continue to be felt long after his death.
32. Khristian Lander
Career
- High school: FJ Reitz, (Evansville, Indiana)
- College: , Indiana (2020–2022), Western Kentucky (2022–present)
Khristian Lander is a point guard for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He has been named to the All-Conference USA First Team twice and was a finalist for the 2019 Wade Trophy.
Lander played for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup and was a key player on the team that won the silver medal. Lander was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and played high school basketball for the Lexington Christian Academy Wildcats.
Lander is a two-time All-American and was named the 2019 Conference USA Player of the Year. Khristian Lander is a 6'2", 185-pound sophomore guard at Western Kentucky. He averaged 14.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game as a freshman at FJ Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana.
Lander is a versatile player who can play both guard positions and shoot from beyond the arc. He was named Second Team All-America by The Associated Press as a freshman and First Team All-America by Sports Illustrated as a sophomore. Lander declared for the 2020 NBA Draft but decided to return to WKU for his second season.
He is expected to be one of the key players for the Hilltoppers this season. Lander was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has played for the country's national team at the junior level.
Lander is an example of the type of player that WKU coach Rick Stansbury is looking for in his program. He is a high-character player who is willing to work hard on and off the court.
33. Carlisle Towery
Career
- High school: Shady Grove, (Shady Grove, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1938–1941)
- Playing career: 1941–1950
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 24, 77, 10
- 1941–1944,, 1946–1948: Fort Wayne Pistons
- 1948–1949: Indianapolis Jets
- 1949–1950: Baltimore Bullets
- NBL champion (1944), Second-team All-American – Converse (1941), Third-team All-American – Converse (1940), No. 42 jersey retired by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Carlisle Towery was born in 1920 and died in 2012 at the age of 92. He attended high school in Shady Grove, Kentucky and played college basketball for Western Kentucky.
He began his professional career in 1941 and played for several different teams over the next four decades. He was known as a powerful forward and center who was able to score in a variety of ways.
He was a part of the United States National Team for several years and helped the team win a gold medal in the FIBA World Championship in 1950. Carlisle Towery was a highly respected player and was often referred to as one of the best to ever play the game.
He is a member of the Kentucky Hall of Fame and the Western Kentucky Hall of Fame. His son, Carlisle Towery, Jr. also played basketball professionally. Carlisle Towery is remembered as one of the greats of the sport and one of the most influential players in Kentucky basketball history.
34. John Mills
Career
- High school: Knox Central (Barbourville, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1938–1941)
- Position: Center / Forward
- Number: 11
- 1944–1946: Cleveland Allmen Transfers
- 1946–1947: Pittsburgh Ironmen
John Mills was born on September 7, 1919 in Flat Lick, Kentucky. He was an American actor and film producer. Mills played a lead role in the film The Dirty Dozen, for which he received his first Academy Award nomination.
Mills also appeared in such films as The Third Man, The Elephant Man, and Deliverance. He passed away on August 25, 1995 in Flat Lick, Kentucky at the age of 75. John Mills is survived by his wife Joanne and two children.
Mills was a three-time All-American at Knox Central High School in Barbourville, Kentucky. He played college basketball at Western Kentucky and was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Allmen Transfers in the 1944 NBA Draft.
Mills played ten seasons in the NBA and was a key member of the Cleveland Allmen Transfers and Pittsburgh Ironmen teams. He was known for his strength and athleticism and was an All-Star in each of his ten seasons in the NBA.
Mills retired from the NBA in 1969 and later served as the head coach at Western Kentucky from 1978 to 1980. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. Mills is currently a basketball coach at his alma mater, Knox Central High School.
He is the father of NBA player John Mills Jr. Mills is a Kentucky Colonel.
35. Taveion Hollingsworth
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball
Career
- High school: Paul Laurence Dunbar, (Lexington, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (2017–2021)
- NBA draft: 2021 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2021–present
- 2021–present: Traiskirchen Lions
- First-team All-Conference USA (2020), Second-team All-Conference USA (2021), Third-team All-Conference USA (2019), Conference USA All-Freshman Team (2018), Kentucky Mr. Basketball (2017)
Taveion Hollingsworth is a 24-year-old American point guard who plays for the Traiskirchen Lions of the Austrian Basketball Superliga. Hollingsworth was born in Pontiac, Michigan and attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
Hollingsworth played collegiate basketball for Western Kentucky before joining the Traiskirchen Lions in 2018. Hollingsworth is a talented scorer and passer, and is considered one of the best point guards in Europe. Hollingsworth is a versatile player who can play both point guard and shooting guard positions.
Hollingsworth is a hard worker who is always working on his game. Hollingsworth is a natural leader and has a strong work ethic. Hollingsworth is a versatile player who can play both point guard and shooting guard positions. Hollingsworth is a hard worker who is always working on his game.
36. Rick Stansbury
Career
- 1977–1981: Campbellsville
- 1981–1982: Campbellsville (assistant)
- 1983–1984: Cumberland (KY) (assistant)
- 1984–1990: Austin Peay (assistant)
- 1990–1998: Mississippi State (assistant)
- 1998–2012: Mississippi State
- 2014–2016: Texas A&M (assistant)
- 2016–present: Western Kentucky
After coaching at Austin Peay, Stansbury was hired as head coach at Western Kentucky in 1990. He has led the Hilltoppers to a 130-76 record over the course of 19 seasons.
Stansbury has been a major proponent of up-tempo basketball and has helped to make Western Kentucky one of the most electrifying offenses in the country. He was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2007 and has led the Hilltoppers to six NCAA Tournament appearances.
Stansbury is a two-time Naismith College Coach of the Year finalist and was inducted into the Campbellsville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Rick Stansbury is a successful assistant coach.
who has had a long and successful career in the NCAA. He has been with Mississippi State for the past 22 years and has helped the Bulldogs to numerous championships and accolades.
He has also had success as an assistant coach at Texas A&M and Western Kentucky, and is currently the head coach at Western Kentucky. He is a highly respected coach in the NCAA and is known for his ability to develop players and get them to the next level.
He is considered a great coach by his peers and is expected to lead Western Kentucky to more success in the future.
37. Jim Rose
Career
- High school: Hazard (Hazard, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1968–1971)
- NBA draft 1971 / Round: 2 / Pick: 28th overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Position: Shooting guard
- Number: 11
- Fourth-team Parade All-American (1966)
Jim Rose was an American football coach and player. Rose played college football at Western Kentucky University. He was the head coach at Western Kentucky from 1978 to 1995.
Rose led the Hilltoppers to nine bowl games and four conference championships. He was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Rose died in 2009 after a long battle with cancer.
Rose was widely respected as a coach and administrator in the football industry. He was a key figure in the development of Independent football in the United States. Rose was posthumously awarded the International Coach of the Year Award in 2010.
Rose was a shooting guard at both high school and college. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1971 NBA draft.
He played with the Celtics for four seasons, before moving on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Rose had a successful career, winning an NBA championship with the 76ers in 1983.
He retired from the NBA in 1988, having played in over 1,000 games. Rose has since worked as a commentator for NBA games. Rose is a two-time NBA All-Star.
He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having competed in the 1980 and 1984 games. Rose is a well-known figure in the world of basketball.
38. Ralph Crosthwaite
Career
- High school: Western Hills (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- College: Western Kentucky (1954–1959)
- NBA draft 1959 / Round: 3 / Pick: 22nd overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Position: Center
- 4× First-team All-OVC (1955, 1957–1959)
Ralph Crosthwaite was an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the long-running CBS medical drama "The West Wing".
Crosthwaite also appeared in a number of other television shows and movies in the 1980s and 1990s. He died in 1999 at the age of 63. Ralph Crosthwaite was a collegiate standout at Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was a three-time First-Team All-OVC selection and played for Western Kentucky in the NBA. Crosthwaite was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1959 NBA draft, and he played for the team for two seasons. He was a key player on the Celtics' championship teams in 1959 and 1960.
Crosthwaite was inducted into the Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. He is also a member of the Western Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. Crosthwaite died in 2003 at the age of 70.
39. Buck Sydnor
Career
- High school: Olmstead (Olmstead, Kentucky)
- College: Western Kentucky (1940–1943)
- Playing career: 1946–1947
- Position: Guard
- Number: 4
- 1946–1947: Chicago Stags
Buck Sydnor was an American singer and songwriter. He was best known for his work as a member of The Buckaroos and as a solo artist. Sydnor was also a successful record producer, and his work with The Beatles is credited with helping to bring the band to international attention.
Sydnor died in 2003 at the age of 81. His death was announced shortly after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sydnor is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll. His music has been cited as an influence by both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Sydnor was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1921.
He began his music career in the 1940s as a member of The Buckaroos, a band formed by his brother-in-law. In the 1960s, Sydnor became a solo artist and achieved international success.
His most famous songs include "East Side Story" and "Walking on Sunshine". Sydnor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
He died in 2003 at the age of 81. His death was announced shortly after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
40. Fallou Diagne
Konyaspor
Career
- –2007: Génération Foot
- 2007–2008: Metz
- 2008–2012: Metz
- 2010–2011: Metz II
- 2012–2014: SC Freiburg
- 2013–2014: SC Freiburg II
- 2014–2016: Rennes
- 2014–2015: Rennes II
- 2016–2018: Werder Bremen
- 2016–2018: Werder Bremen II
- 2017–2018: → Metz (loan)
- 2018–2020: Konyaspor
- 2021–2022: Vllaznia Shkodër
- 2022–: Chennaiyin
- 2016–: Senegal
- *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:00, 27 June 2022 (UTC), ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15
Fallou Diagne is a 33-year-old centre-back who currently plays for Chennaiyin. Fallou Diagne began his career with Génération Foot in 2007 before moving to Metz in 2008.
Fallou Diagne made his senior debut for Senegal in 2012. He has since represented his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Fallou Diagne is a commanding presence at the back and is known for his accurate long balls.
Fallou Diagne is a regular for Senegal and is considered one of the country's most talented players. Fallou Diagne is contracted to Chennaiyin until the end of the 2020–21 season.
Fallou Diagne is a member of the Senegal national team and is looking to qualify for the World Cup in Russia this year.
Fallou Diagne is married and has two children. Fallou Diagne is a devout Muslim and often attends prayers at a mosque in Chennai.
Also Played For: fc metz
41. O'Karo Akamune
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball
Career
- High school: Everglades (Miami, Florida)
- College: , Eastern Oklahoma State (2010–2011), Western Kentucky (2011–2014)
- NBA draft: 2014 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2014–present
- 2014–present: Hørsholm 79ers
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing Nigeria, AfroBasket, : 2017 Tunisia/Senegal:
- Men's basketball
- Representing Nigeria
- AfroBasket
- : 2017 Tunisia/Senegal:
O'Karo Akamune is a power forward for the 79ers. He was born in Miami, Florida and attended high school in Everglades. Akamune played college ball at Eastern Oklahoma State.
He is currently in his fourth season in the Danish Basketball League. Akamune is a versatile player who can play both forward positions. He has averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds per game in the DBL.
Akamune is a strong defender and has averaged 1.5 blocks per game in the DBL. He is a member of the Nigerian national team. Akamune is an experienced player who is looking to take his game to the next level in the DBL.
O'Karo Akamune is a forward for the Hørsholm 79ers in the Danish Basketlig Liga. He attended Western Kentucky University, where he played for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Akamune averaged 7.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for Western Kentucky in his three seasons.
He was named to the All-Conference USA First Team in 2017. Akamune was not drafted in the 2014 NBA draft, but he has since made his debut in the Danish Basketlig Liga. He is currently playing for Hørsholm 79ers.
Final Words
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men’s basketball team is one of the most successful programs in the country. They have won over 100 games in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, making them one of only two programs to ever do so.
The Hilltoppers have also won three regular season conference championships and two Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament Championships. Their best player of all time is Oscar Robertson, who was a five-time NBA All-Star and a two-time MVP. Other Hilltopper greats include All-American Rick Majerus, two-time Conference Player of the Year Freddie Lewis, and two-time Player of the Year Rex Chapman.
