Kentucky’s greatest player to wear no. 23
When it comes to basketball, the number 23 conjures one image for most: Michael Jordan soaring through the air in red and black. But in Lexington, that number tells a different story—one written in banners, blocks, and a national title. At the University of Kentucky, jersey No. 23 has graced a wide spectrum of players, from role contributors to some of the most decorated stars in college basketball history.
For this series, we’re only evaluating what players did while at Kentucky—not their pro careers or achievements at other schools. And at No. 23, there’s no shortage of talent. Let’s dig in.
5. Derek Anderson (1995–1997)
A catalyst in one of Kentucky’s golden eras, Anderson transferred from Ohio State and instantly fit into Rick Pitino’s machine. In two seasons, he was a key two-way force—averaging 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game over 55 contests.
- 1996 National Champion
- 1997 All-SEC (2nd Coaches, 3rd AP)
- All-NCAA Regional Team
Anderson's 1997 campaign could’ve been legendary had he not torn his ACL in January. Still, his overall impact and postseason performances lock him into this top five.
4. Jamal Murray (2015–16)
You won’t find many freshman seasons more explosive than Murray’s. The Canadian sharpshooter averaged 20.0 points per game, hit 113 threes, and shot nearly 41% from deep—all in just one year.
- All-American (AP 3rd, USA Today 2nd)
- All-SEC First Team (AP & Coaches)
- SEC All-Freshman Team
His ability to take over games and his relentless scoring made him the centerpiece of Kentucky’s offense. In a different era, he might’ve stayed longer—but his one year was enough to cement his legacy.
3. Jodie Meeks (2006–2009)
If pure scoring is the metric, Meeks is a must on this list. After two injury-marred seasons, he exploded as a junior, averaging 23.7 points per game and setting the single-game school scoring record with 54 points at Tennessee.
- 2008–09 Second-Team All-American (Consensus)
- All-SEC First Team
- Kentucky’s all-time single-season 3-point leader (117)
Meeks’ 2009 season remains one of the most thrilling in school history, carrying a thin roster with jaw-dropping shooting displays.
2. Cliff Barker (1946–1949)
The steady general for Kentucky’s first two national titles, Barker was as foundational as it gets. He wasn’t a volume scorer but played over 100 games and was the glue of Adolph Rupp’s late-40s dynasty.
- Two-time NCAA Champion (1948, 1949)
- Multiple All-SEC honors
- Jersey Retired
Barker was the kind of player whose stats don’t tell the full story. But two titles and a retired number speak volumes.
1. Anthony Davis (2011–2012)
There’s dominance—and then there’s what Anthony Davis did in one season.
- National Player of the Year (all major awards)
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- SEC Player, Freshman, and Defensive Player of the Year
- Consensus First-Team All-American
- National Champion
His season averages of 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game don’t fully capture his impact. He redefined college defense and carried Kentucky to a 38–2 record and a national title. There’s simply never been another one-year run quite like his.
🏁 Final thoughts
Jersey No. 23 at Kentucky is stacked—and that's without even getting into names like Dwight Anderson, Roger Harden, or Isaiah Jackson. But when the stats, honors, and championship hardware are all on the table, Anthony Davis is the clear king of this number.
Next up: No. 24—a number worn by a few unsung heroes and at least one star you'll definitely remember.