UK Wildcats Blog

UK Player Profile: Kelenna Azubuike

One of the more recent favorites to wear the University of Kentucky basketball uniform was Kelenna Azubuilke. Azubuike came to Kentucky with a reputation for scoring points in large numbers in high school and was Mr. Basketball in the state of Oklahoma in 2001. A chiseled, mature athlete, Azubuike had all of the tools to become a star for the Wildcats.

Kelenna played for Coach Tubby Smith from 2002-2005. Azubuike had a solid three year career for the Wildcats. Azubuike averaged 10 points a game and almost 4 rebounds over the course of his 97 career games at Kentucky. A solid player who could score in quick bursts and dunk the ball with authority, Azubuike was a fan favorite during his time with the Wildcats.

Kelenna declared for entry into the NBA Draft after his junior season in 2005. Some questioned his decision at the time, but family commitments led Kelenna to make the choice to jump to the NBA. Azubuike did not hear his name called that night at the NBA Draft, but was invited to join the Cleveland Cavaliers in their training camp. Kelenna spent the 2005-2006 season with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBDL, averaging 12.6 points and 4 rebounds per game.

Azubuike had a few quick stints with  the Denver Nuggets on their summer league team, and a short time with the Houston Rockets. After more time in the NBDL, Azubuike finally received a contract from the Golden State Warriors. Azubuike has remained with the Warriors and has become a solid player and potential future star. Kelenna has increased his scoring average each season with the Warriors, averaging 14.4 in the 2008-2009 season. The Warriors matched the contract offer to Kelenna by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008, and he remains with the Warriors today.

A serious fan favorite, Kelenna had a solid career with the Kentucky Wildcats and is on his way to becoming a solid NBA player with a bright future ahead.

1983-84 Kentucky Team Poster

This classic UK team poster was created for the 1983-84 UK basketball season. The 1983-84 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team was one of the most beloved teams in UK history. Dubbed the "Twin Towers" with two 7 footers on the team in Sam Bowie and Melvin Turpin, this team spent the entire season with National Championship dreams in its future. This team also featured freshman star and future NBA Slam Dunk Champion Kenny Walker. That UK team finished the season 29-5, finishing off with a stunning performance against Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas in the Final Four that still stands out in the minds of UK fans as one of the toughest losses ever.

The players featured in this classic poster include Jim Master, Troy McKinley, Roger Harden, Winston Bennett, James Blackmon, Paul Andrews, Tom Heitz, Brett Bearup, Dicky Beal, along with Turpin, Bowie and Walker. The poster also features the Kentucky coaches for the 1983-84 season, Joe B. Hall, Leonard Hamilton, Jim Hatfield and Lake Kelly along with trainer Walt McCombs and the legendary Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley.

Kentucky Basketball has had a long tradition of putting out team posters each year, and back in the 80's this was the type you would find. The illustration features Coach Joe B. Hall and the Twin Towers of Bowie and Turpin. In the background you see the image of Rupp Arena and the Seattle Kingdome, site of the Final Four that year, along with the rest of the members of the Wildcats team and coaching staff. This classic UK team poster brings back many great memories of one of the greatest teams in school history.

UK Legend: Cawood Ledford

"Hello everybody, this is Cawood Ledford...."

There are probably no more familiar words to long time Kentucky basketball fans than those of the legendary voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, Cawood Ledford. The smooth sound of Cawood's voice brought Kentucky basketball to life for generations of WIldcat fans.
Cawood Ledford was the voice of the Kentucky Wildcats from 1953 until his retirement in 1992.

The Harlan, Kentucky native broadcast high school football and basketball games in his hometown before moving to Lexington to become the voice of the Kentucky Wildcats in 1953. Ledford called Kentucky games for 39 years, retiring in 1992. Cawood's last Kentucky radio broadcast was the 1992 NCAA East Regional Final that is considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever played. In addition to his duties with the University of Kentucky, Cawood could also be heard calling the NCAA Men's Final Four on the CBS Radio Network and the Kentucky Derby.

Cawood was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994. Ledford is a member of the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame and one of only a few non-athletes to have his name hanging in the rafters at Rupp Arena. Cawood Ledford is considered to have been one of the greatest play-by-play announcers in the history of sports broadcasting.

After Cawood's passing in 2001, the University of Kentucky dedicated the court in Rupp Arena in his honor, dubbing it "Cawood's Court". Even to this day, Cawood Ledford remains one of the most beloved and respected members of the University of Kentucky basketball family.

UK Classic Player Profile: Tony Delk

One of the most memorable eras in Kentucky Basketball history was during the mid 1990's and Tony Delk was at the center of one of the most cherished eras in UK history.

Tony Delk played for the Wildcats from 1992 to 1996. Delk came to Kentucky after being named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee and being named a McDonald's All American. Delk's ability to score and shoot from the perimeter made him one of the greatest scoring guards in UK history. Delk finished his Kentucky career with 1890 points, which is currently 5th in school history.

Tony Delk was an important member of the National Championship team in 1996, considered by many to be one of the greatest college teams ever assembled. During the 1996 season, Delk was voted as the SEC Player of the Year, First Team All SEC, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player and 1st Team All-American. Tony was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

Delk was drafted 16th in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Tony went on to have a solid career in the NBA with many different teams including the Hornets, Warriors, Kings, Suns, Celtics, Mavericks, Hawks and Pistons.

New head coach John Calipari has hired Delk to be a special assistant for the 2009-2010 season with the Wildcats basketball team.

UK Basketball Schedules 1983-84

These player cards featured the 1983-84 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team and the season schedule on the back. The cards are a very simple one color design with the images of the coaches and players on the fronts. The schedules feature Sam Bowie and Melvin Turpin, along with Kenny Walker and many other familiar faces from the 1983-84 team. The back of each card has the UK basketball schedule for the 1983-84 basketball season.

The 1983-84 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team holds a special place in the hearts of all UK fans. The team entered the season with high expectations and a roster full of popular players. Reaching the Final Four was a great accomplishment for the team and the fans but the crushing loss to Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas in the Final Four still lingers in the minds of UK fans to this day. These classic schedules are a great tribute to this favorite Wildcats team from the 1980's.

Welcome to the UK Wildcats Blog

Welcome to the UK Wildcats Blog. The purpose of the UK Wildcats Blog is to celebrate the rich history of the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball program. The University of Kentucky basketball program is one of the most storied in all of college basketball history. The fans of the Wildcats are some  of the most dedicated and passionate fans in the world.

The UK Wildcats Blog was created to celebrate the tremendous history of the UK basketball program. It will take a look back at some of the most memorable players and personalities in the history of UK basketball, remember some of the team's greatest moments and look back at great UK memorabilia and historical items. We will also take a look at the bright future ahead for the Wildcats as they enter the John Calipari era.

This UK blog will be a bit different than most others, but will share one thing with every UK basketball site, a deep admiration and appreciation for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. We hope you enjoy the things this blog will bring to you each day and we look forward to providing you with information that will bring back many of your fondest UK basketball memories.

This blog is not affiliated in any way with the Kentucky Basketball program, the UK Athletic Department or any other official University of Kentucky entity. It is the work of a passionate fan of the Kentucky Basketball program and all opinions are those of the editor.