Top 50 Kentucky Wildcats Prior to John Calipari Era

Dec 20, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Samford Bulldogs head coach Scott Padgett talks with the team during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Samford defeated Nebraska 69-58. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

42. Scott Padgett

Current Samford Bulldogs head coach, Scott Padgett had quite the collegiate career at the University of Kentucky.

Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, you’re usually a Kentucky fan or a Louisville fan. If you play basketball, it is a lifelong dream to play for one of those two programs. Padgett was lucky enough to be able to attend the University of Kentucky.

Padgett didn’t see much playing playing time, his team was loaded with all-stars. His career was also plagued with academic problems, but after some time off, Padgett got it together during the second half of the 1997 season and became a vital part of that team.

However, it wasn’t until the 1998 season that Padgett showed his true colors.

During that season, Padgett averaged 11.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game. Padgett shot 48.0-percent from the floor, 39.4-percent from 3 point range and 83.7-percent from the free throw line. Not too shabby for the guy.

During his senior season (1998-99) Padgett became another Wildcat to enter the 1000 point club.

Padgett was the 28th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft to the Utah Jazz. Padgett didn’t have the strongest NBA career, but saw playing time with the Jazz, the Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and then a team overseas in Spain.

Once his professional career was over, Padgett took up coaching. He landed his first head coaching job with the Samford Bulldogs after being an assistant for two years. Padgett was also an assistant for the Kentucky Wildcats and Manhattan Jaspers prior to his time with the Bulldogs.

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