Top 50 Kentucky Wildcats Prior to John Calipari Era

Mar 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

36. Mike Casey

Another homegrown product from the state of Kentucky. Mike Casey was a shooting guard out of Shelby County High School.

Casey, known for his passing and scoring, was one of the best shooting guards to step foot in Lexington.

Casey averaged 18.7 points per game for his career, 19.1 his junior season and also outscored the Kentucky favorite, Dan Issel, 20.1 to 16.4 his sophomore season, something many Wildcat fans don’t know. Dan Issel is probably one of the best players to come out of the University of Kentucky, but Mike Casey sure gave him a run for his money.

Casey was injured in a car wreck and had to sit out his senior season of 1969-1970, but returned for his senior season for 1970-1971, but he just wasn’t the same player. The injury did more damage than just physically.

Casey was drafted but failed to make an NBA roster, many would say was caused because of his injury from the wreck, he didn’t get to live up to his potential.

Casey passed away in April of 2009, but was entered into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame not shortly after.

Next: Miami Heat Man