Who wore it best? Ranking Kentucky’s all-time greats to wear no. 26
We’re back with another entry in our summer countdown, sorting through every jersey number in Kentucky basketball history to find out who wore it best. Some numbers are iconic. Others are under-the-radar. And then there’s No. 26—a number worn by just a handful of Wildcats, but one that still hangs from the Rupp Arena rafters.
Let’s count down the greatest to ever wear No. 26 in Lexington. Remember the only stats and awards that count happened while each player was Kentucky, no pro stats, no other schools.
4. Robert Henne (1947–49)
A depth piece on Adolph Rupp’s loaded post-war rosters, Henne’s time in blue and white was short and statistically quiet. Over two seasons and 20 games, he tallied just 20 points on 17% shooting—but hey, he got on the floor for a team that won a national title in 1948. That alone earns him a spot on this list, even if it’s the final one.
3. Walter Hodge (1936–39)
A solid contributor in the late 1930s, Hodge put together a strong 1936-37 campaign that earned him All-SEC Tournament and Second Team All-SEC honors. A recurring knee injury cut his career short, limiting him to just three games after that breakout year. While his final numbers weren’t overwhelming—81 career points—his impact in that one healthy season deserves recognition.
2. Dave Lawrence (1932–35)
A steady presence during the early Rupp years, Lawrence was a reliable scorer who improved each season. He capped off his Kentucky career with an All-SEC First Team nod in 1934-35 and finished with 347 career points—an impressive total for the era. He may be forgotten in most modern conversations, but he was a foundational piece during UK’s rise in the '30s.
1. Ken Rollins (1942–43, 1946–48)
No. 1 on this list—and rightfully so—is Ken Rollins, the only Wildcat to wear No. 26 whose jersey is retired. Known as “The Wagon,” Rollins was the floor general of Kentucky’s 1948 NCAA championship team, a two-time All-SEC First Team selection, and a respected leader who brought toughness, smarts, and winning DNA to the program.
Rollins finished with 684 points in 98 games across three seasons, with a stint in World War II splitting his career. He returned from military service to lead Kentucky through one of its golden stretches, culminating in Olympic gold with Team USA in 1948. His No. 26 now hangs in the rafters, and for good reason—Rollins was as steady and selfless as they come.
Jersey No. 26 may not have a deep rotation of stars, but it produced one all-time great in Ken Rollins—a national champion, Olympian, and true Wildcat legend. For that, this quiet number speaks volumes.
Stay tuned as we continue our summer countdown here at WBN,