In the heart of Kentucky men's basketball—where banners hang heavy with history, and Big Blue Nation breathes the game—there’s no higher honor than having your jersey lifted into the rafters of Rupp Arena. It’s more than a number stitched on fabric; it’s a symbol of greatness, grit, and a legacy that lives forever.
As of June 1, 2025, 44 jerseys hang proudly above the Rupp Arena court:
- 39 legendary players who gave their all
- 3 head coaches who built dynasties
- 1 broadcaster whose voice became the soundtrack of generations
- 1 equipment manager whose devotion never wavered
Out of an estimated 465 confirmed players in program history—and likely closer to 700 if you count the freshman and JV teams from the early days—that’s roughly one jersey retired for every 12 players. That’s an elite 8.4% retirement rate. And with Kentucky’s strict criteria—including a Hall of Fame induction and a 10-year waiting period—it’s one of the rarest honors in all of college basketball. There has not been an active player retired since Tony Delk.
🏀 Kentucky basketball players with retired jerseys
- Basil Hayden (1920–22)
- Burgess Carey (1925–26) – #56
- Carey Spicer (1929–31)
- Forest “Aggie” Sale (1931–33)
- John “Frenchy” DeMoisey (1932–34) – #7
- Layton “Mickey” Rouse (1938–40) – #4
- Kenny Rollins (1943, ’47–48) – #26
- Alex Groza (1945, ’47–49) – #15
- Ralph Beard (1946–49) – #12
- Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones (1946–49) – #27
- Cliff Barker (1947–49) – #22
- Bill Spivey (1950–51) – #77
- Frank Ramsey (1951–52, ’54) – #30
- Cliff Hagan (1951–52, ’54) – #6
- Lou Tsioropoulos (1951–52, ’54) – #16
- Billy Evans (1952, ’54–55) – #42
- Gayle Rose (1952, ’54–55) – #20
- Jerry Bird (1954–56) – #22
- Phil Grawemeyer (1945–56) – #44
- Bob Burrow (1955–56) – #50
- Vernon Hatton (1956–58) – #52
- Johnny Cox (1957–59) – #24
- Cotton Nash (1962–64) – #44
- Louie Dampier (1965–67) – #10
- Pat Riley (1965–67) – #42
- Dan Issel (1968–70) – #44
- Kevin Grevey (1973–75) – #35
- Jack “Goose” Givens (1975–78) – #21
- Rick Robey (1975–78) – #53
- Kyle Macy (1978–80) – #4
- Sam Bowie (1980–81, ’84) – #31
- Kenny Walker (1983–86) – #34
- Richie Farmer (1989–92) – #32
- Deron Feldhaus (1989–92) – #12
- John Pelphrey (1989–92) – #34
- Sean Woods (1990–92) – #11
- Jamal Mashburn (1991–93) – #24
- Tony Delk (1993–96) – #00
🧠 Coaches and contributors honored
- Adolph Rupp – Head Coach (1931–72)
- Joe B. Hall – Head Coach (1973–85)
- Rick Pitino – Head Coach (1990–97)
- Orlando “Tubby” Smith – Head Coach (1998–2007)
- Cawood Ledford – Voice of the Wildcats (1953–92)
- Bill Keightley – Equipment Manager (1962–2008)
🎯 How do you get a jersey retired at Kentucky?
It’s not just about stats—it’s about impact. To even be considered:
- You must be inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame (5 years after your final season).
- Then, a further 5-year waiting period is required before retirement consideration.
That’s a decade of reflection. Ten years to prove that your contributions stood the test of time, that your presence wasn’t just powerful in the moment—but eternal in Kentucky lore.
🔥 Modern players who may be up next
Now comes the fun part—the debate.
Who deserves to be the 45th jersey in the rafters of Rupp? Here are a few names already echoing through the Big Blue conversation:
Anthony Davis (#23, 2011–12)
A generational talent who turned defense into dominance. National Champion. National Player of the Year. No. 1 NBA Draft pick. His numbers and impact speak for themselves.
John Wall (#11, 2009–10)
The lightning bolt who brought Kentucky back to the spotlight. SEC Player of the Year, cultural icon, and the heartbeat of a revival.
DeMarcus Cousins (#15, 2009–10)
A bruising, beloved big man who was larger than life in more ways than one. His personality and power helped shape Calipari’s early era.
🏆 Why It matters
A retired jersey isn’t just a banner—it’s a story. It’s Basil Hayden in the 1920s… Ralph Beard’s fearlessness in the ’40s… Dan Issel’s dominance in the ’60s… and Tony Delk’s dagger threes in the ’90s. It’s the coaches who built dynasties. The broadcaster who made us feel it all. The equipment manager who stayed behind the scenes but meant everything. And it is for their families who look up and see a reminder of just how much their family member mattered to BBN. It's not just a reminder or a history lesson, it's a passionate symbol of greatness.
These jerseys don’t just hang; they inspire. They remind every player who walks into Rupp of the legacy they’re stepping into—and the greatness they’re chasing.
🗣️ So, Big Blue Nation… who’s next?
Is it finally time for #23 to rise for Anthony Davis? Does John Wall’s #11 still give you chills? Maybe Keith Bogans or Tayshaun Prince? Could Boogie or Ulis be your pick?
Pull up a seat, start the debate, and speak from the heart—because at Kentucky, basketball isn’t just a game.