Kentucky's forgotten Hall of Famer: A flawed legend's journey to redemption

Dan Issel’s name is etched in basketball history—a towering figure whose achievements span from dominating the hardwood at the University of Kentucky to redefining scoring in professional basketball. Yet, Issel’s story is as much about personal growth and redemption as it is about accolades and records.

Born in Batavia, Illinois, Issel arrived at the University of Kentucky in 1966 and quickly cemented his legacy. Over three seasons, he amassed 2,138 points, averaging an astonishing 25.7 points per game, a record that remains unbroken. His 33.9 points per game in the 1969-70 season is still the highest in school history. Issel wasn’t just prolific; he was a force of nature, embodying the passion and grit synonymous with Kentucky basketball.

Drafted in 1970, Issel chose the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels over the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, leading the league in scoring with 29.9 points per game and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Over six seasons in the ABA, Issel led the league in total points three times and played a pivotal role in the Colonels’ 1975 championship.

Issel transitioned seamlessly to the NBA, becoming the Denver Nuggets' second-leading all-time scorer with averages of 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game over nine seasons. By the time he retired in 1985, only three players—Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Julius Erving—had scored more career points.

Off the court, Issel’s path was more complicated. As a coach for the Nuggets in 2001, his career took a sharp turn when a heated exchange with a fan led to an offensive remark that shocked many. “I apologize to the fans, to the Nuggets organization, and the people of Denver,” Issel said in a tearful news conference. While some called for his dismissal, others, including Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe, pointed to Issel’s lifetime of contributions to the sport.

“This guy has given his whole life to this organization,” Vandeweghe said. “Do you forget about 25 years of service over five seconds?”

It in fact did cause a tear in the team, and he resigned a short time later. His struggles just started; he filed bankruptcy, had to sell off championship rings and lost family over bad financial decisions. He found his footing in the church, and now leaves out in Los Angeles and is an executive in a presbyterian church in Bel Air.

Issel’s journey from Batavia to basketball immortality is one of triumphs and trials, underscoring that even legends are human. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, Issel remains a revered figure in Kentucky and Colorado, celebrated not just for his scoring touch but for his ability to evolve. He still remains the leading scorer at Kentucky, and second leading scorer in Nuggets history.

Today, Issel’s legacy is one of resilience—a player who shattered records, a coach who faced his flaws, and a man who continues to embody the spirit of transformation.