Top 50 Kentucky Wildcats Prior to John Calipari Era

Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

23. Bill Spivey

When you think of someone being 7-0 feet tall and playing basketball at the University of Kentucky, it doesn’t really phase you. It’s almost a common thing, there is usually at least one seven footer playing for the Kentucky Wildcats.

However, back in 1949-1952 this was almost unheard of. Bill Spivey was the first seven footer to wear a Kentucky uniform.

Spivey averaged 19.3 points per game for his two seasons in Lexington, and his 17.2 rebounds a game in 1950-51 is the second-best season in school history. Solid numbers for the big man.

After the heartbreak of being accused of point shaving, Spivey’s life was never the same. He was blacklisted by the NBA, even after being cleared of any wrong doing. It seemingly broke his heart and crush his spirits.

Spivey’s jersey number, 77, was retired by the University of Kentucky in January 2000, and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in September 2004, after he passed away at his home in 1995.