High among the upper rafters of Rupp Arena hang the jerseys of forty-two jerseys from the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. These jerseys represent the select few players, coaches, and broadcasters who deserve special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the Kentucky basketball program.
Beginning in 2017, UK Wildcat legend (and distinguished Rafters' member) Kyle Macy hosted "From the Rafters of Rupp", a series of video interviews with many of these players of yesteryear. This special series of interviews has now been packaged in an all-new, full-color "coffee-table" book containing firsthand accounts of what is was like to play for UK in the players' own words, complete with vintage photographs. The book includes first-person interviews with the following distinguished members
Cliff Hagan (1950-54)
Frank Ramsey (1950-54)
Billy Evans (1952-55)
Vernon Hatton (1956-58)
Johnny Cox (1956-59)
Cotton Nash (1962-64)
Louie Dampier (1963-67)
Dan Issel (1967-70)
Kevin Grevey (1971-75)
Jack Givens (1975-78)
Rick Robey (1975-78)
Sam Bowie (1980-84)
Kenny Walker (1982-86)
Richie Farmer (1989-92)
Deron Feldhaus (1989-92)
John Pelphrey (1989-92)
Sean Woods (1989-92)
Tony Delk (1992-96)
Joe B. Hall (1972-85)
Kyle Macy (1977-80)
This is the perfect gift for UK men's basketball fans of all ages. Through this book, veteran fans will not only reflect on the storied history of the Wildcats in action, but they will also be able to share the pageantry and passion of this great program
KYLE MACY was the 1975 Indiana High School Mr. Basketball, a three-time All-American while at the University of Kentucky, the starting point guard of UK's 1978 National Championship Team, a 1979 Pan American Games Gold Medalist, and the 1980 SEC Male Athlete of the Year. Kyle also had a seven-year NBA career and played three additional years in the Italian Pro League.
Since his playing days ended, Kyle has appeared as a college basketball broadcast analyst across multiple media outlets, including serving as the color analyst for four years on the UK radio network. He also had a nine-year stint as the head basketball coach at Morehead State University.
Kyle is currently the host of From the Rafters of Rupp. He remains a big UK fan.
DR. JOHN HUANG is a retired orthodontist and military veteran. He currently covers University of Kentucky sports for Nolan Group Media. He enjoys writing books in his spare time.
