Part of our Summer Series Celebrating Kentucky Basketball Legacy
Today, we spotlight the players who have donned the No. 15 jersey for Kentucky basketball. Our rankings are strictly based on their performance, stats, and awards while at Kentucky—no credit for pro careers or prep school exploits. From early pioneers to recent stars, here are the top five Wildcats to wear No. 15, counting down from fifth to first.
5 greatest number 15's in Kentucky Wildcat history
5. Jeff Sheppard (1993–1998)
- Games Played: 139
- Points Scored: 1,091
Accolades:
- 1997-98 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- All-NCAA Regional Team
- All-SEC Third Team (AP)
Jeff Sheppard’s clutch play and leadership helped cement his place in Kentucky lore. Most notably, his heroics during the 1998 NCAA Tournament helped the Wildcats capture a national championship. A consistent contributor over five seasons, Sheppard was a key figure in one of Kentucky’s great teams, edging out his son who just missed our top 5.
4. Ed Davender (1984–1988)
- Games Played: 129
- Points Scored: 1,637
Accolades:
- 1986-87 All-SEC Second Team (UPI), Third Team (AP)
- 1987-88 All-SEC Second Team (UPI), Third Team (AP)
Davender was a prolific scorer during his tenure, known for his smooth offensive skills and steady production. Though overshadowed by Kentucky’s star power in the ’80s, his consistent All-SEC honors reflect his value to the team and place among the best to wear No. 15.
3. DeMarcus Cousins (2009–2010)
- Games Played: 38
- Points Scored: 575
Accolades:
- 2009-10 All-American (Consensus 2nd Team)
- All-SEC First Team (AP & Coaches)
- SEC Freshman of the Year
- All-SEC Tournament
- All-NCAA Regional Team
Boogie Cousins dominated as a freshman, showcasing the kind of talent that would later make him an NBA star. His physical presence and skillset gave Kentucky a dominant inside force. Despite just one season, Cousins left a lasting impact wearing No. 15.
2. Willie Cauley-Stein (2012–2015)
- Games Played: 105
- Points Scored: 843
Accolades:
- 2014-15 National Defensive Player of the Year (NABC)
- Consensus First-Team All-American
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- SEC Tournament MVP
- All-NCAA Regional Team
Cauley-Stein was a defensive titan and versatile big man who anchored Kentucky’s paint during a transformative period. His national recognition as Defensive Player of the Year and team leadership made him one of the most impactful Wildcats wearing No. 15.
1. Alex Groza (1944–1949)
After winning Kentucky's first national championship, the Fabulous Five consisting of Cliff Barker, Ralph Beard, Alex Groza, Wah Wah Jones and Ken Rollins went on to represent the United States, bringing home the gold medal at the 1948 Olympics in London. 🥇🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5o6I2uQtWu
— catsclassics (@catsclassics) May 27, 2024
- Games Played: 120
- Points Scored: 1,744
Accolades:
- Multiple Consensus First-Team All-American honors (1946-49)
- 1948-49 National Player of the Year (Helms)
- Two-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- Multiple All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Tournament selections
Groza is the gold standard for Kentucky’s No. 15. Playing in the late ’40s, he was a dominant scorer and leader, capturing national attention with back-to-back NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player awards. His legacy helped lay the foundation for Kentucky’s tradition of excellence.
Honorable mentions
While these five stand at the summit, other players like Reed Sheppard (2023–2024) with his National Freshman of the Year honors, and Melvin Brewer (1940–1943) with solid tournament play, contributed meaningfully wearing No. 15.
The complete no. 15 legacy in Lexington
- J. Rice Walker (1935–1938)
- Stan Cluggish (1938–1940
- Melvin Brewer (1940–1943)
- George Vulich (1943–1945)
- Alex Groza (1944–1949)
- Reggie Warford (1972–1976)
- Steve Williams (1976–1977)
- Chris Gettelfinger (1977–1981)
- Ed Davender (1984–1988)
- Jeff Sheppard (1993–1998)
- Matt Heissenbuttel (2000–2004)
- A.J. Stewart (2007–2009)
- DeMarcus Cousins (2009–2010)
- Willie Cauley-Stein (2012–2015)
- Isaac Humphries (2015–2017)
- Reed Sheppard (2023–2024)
- Ansley Almonor (2024–2025)
The No. 15 jersey at Kentucky has a rich, multi-generational history filled with players who brought scoring, defense, and leadership in every era. From Groza’s mid-century dominance to Cauley-Stein’s defensive mastery and Jeff Sheppard’s clutch moments, the jersey continues to carry weight in the legacy of Wildcats basketball. This is one area where Dad can say he outperformed
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s number spotlight as we continue diving deep into Kentucky basketball’s storied history.