The Best Wildcats to Ever Wear Each Number: No. 6
Yesterday, we looked at No. 5, where it came down to a two-horse race between Malik Monk’s elite one-year offensive burst and Wayne Turner’s steady leadership and two national championships. Turner ultimately got the nod.
Today, we move on to No. 6, a number that has been far less populated in Kentucky’s history. Just seven players have worn it, and some for only a blink of a season. But while the pool is small, there’s no shortage of historical weight—especially at the top.
Remember, this ranking is based solely on what each player did at Kentucky, with no consideration for pro careers or success at other schools. Without further ado, here are the seven Wildcats who’ve worn No. 6, ranked by impact and legacy in Lexington:
7. Dickie Derrickson (1944–45)
Derrickson saw the court in just two games and did not record a single point. His contribution to Kentucky basketball, statistically, was negligible. He occupies the bottom of this list by default.
6. William Davis (1935–36)
Davis also only played in two games, scoring just two points. Like Derrickson, there’s little to evaluate in terms of production or legacy.
5. Clyde Parker (1942–43)
Parker contributed a modest 68 points across 20 games before transferring to Louisville following military service. While his time in Lexington was short, he did see regular action during a challenging wartime season.
4. Lloyd Ramsey (1940–42)
A rotational guard who played 39 games across two seasons, Ramsey scored 93 total points. He was a steady presence on the floor, but didn’t collect any accolades during his time at UK.
3. Warfield Donohue (1934–37)
Donohue was one of the early standout guards for Kentucky, racking up 213 points over 64 games. He earned First Team All-SEC honors in 1937 and made the All-SEC Tournament Team, giving him a clear edge over others in the middle tier of this list.
2. Paul McBrayer (1927–30)
McBrayer scored 229 points over 53 games and was one of the earliest All-Americans in Kentucky basketball history. He was a Helms Foundation First Team All-American in 1930, and a two-time All-American overall. His accolades in the program’s early years make him a worthy No. 2.
1. Cliff Hagan (1950–54)
This one is as obvious as they come. Cliff Hagan was an all-time great in every sense. He scored 1,475 career points, pulled in over 1,000 rebounds, and was a two-time Consensus First Team All-American. Hagan was a dominant force in the early 1950s and helped lead Kentucky to an undefeated national championship season in 1953–54 (though the team did not participate in the NCAA Tournament due to eligibility issues). His No. 6 jersey is one of the rare few to be retired in the rafters of Rupp Arena.
And there you have it—every Wildcat to ever wear No. 6, ranked. The choice at the top was clear, but it’s interesting to look back and see just how long it’s been since someone donned the number. Thanks to a 2023 NCAA rule change allowing numbers 0–99, we may soon see another Wildcat pick up No. 6 and try to follow in the legendary footsteps of Cliff Hagan.
Tomorrow we tackle no. 7.