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

22. Bob Burrow

Burrow played for UK for only two years (1954-1956). In those two years he became on of the best rebounders in history. He averaged 17.7 rebounds per game his junior year, and 14.6 rebounds per game his senior year. In a game against Temple in 1955, Burrow grabbed 34 rebounds, 34, that was not a typo. 34.

The 6’7″ center/forward from Malvern, Arkansas is one of the greatest basketball players to ever play in Lexington, let alone play at all.

He was immediatley thrust into the starting lineup once he arrived in Lexington.  Burrow was not only an elite rebounder, he was also strong on the offensive end.  During his senior year he scored 40, 50, and 34 points in three different games, completely unheard of anymore.. In his two years on campus his aggregate scoring average was 20.0 points per game, which lead the team both years. Averaging a double-double in almost every game he played. If that’s not elite, I don’t know what is.

Burrow was named All-America both of his years in Lexington. He was also an All-NCAA Regional selection twice.  During his junior season, the Wildcats were ranked either #1 or #2 for the entire year.

Upon leaving UK in 1956 Burrow was drafted by the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) of the NBA. He played two seasons in the NBA before ending his career.

Burrow’s #50 jersey hangs high in Rupp Arena today.

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