Few Kentucky basketball players receive less acclaim for their accomplishments than Keith Bogans, which is why we will celebrate No. 10 on his 45th birthday.
Bogans was arguably the brightest star for Tubby Smith during his ten seasons in Lexington. The sensational shooting guard from the DMV was phenomenal throughout his four-year career.
If you lived through it, Bogans was probably your favorite player. If you weren’t around, you probably don’t realize that he has the fourth-most points in Kentucky basketball history.
Bogans suited up for the Wildcats from 1999-03. He made an immediate impact right away, averaging 12.5 points per game and earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. He was a double-digit scorer in every single season at Kentucky.
Following a disappointing junior season, dubbed “Team Turmoil,” Bogans returned for one unforgettable run in 2003. That team overcame a ton of early-season adversity that featured multiple suspensions and injuries to end the season on a 26-game winning streak. They weren’t picked to win the SEC East, yet on the 100th anniversary of Kentucky basketball, they became the first team to go undefeated in SEC play and win the conference tournament. Bogans was named SEC Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American.
Unfortunately, Bogans is often remembered for what could have been. The star of the No. 1 team in the country sprained his ankle in a Sweet 16 win over Wisconsin. He played through the pain and scored 15 points, but was unable to slow down Dwyane Wade in an Elite Eight loss to Marquette.
Bogans was elected in to the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. His jersey should hang from the rafters of Rupp Arena.
Memorable Moments from Bogans’ Career
1. Tennessee had an impressive squad in 1999-00. Led by Ron Slay and Vincent Yarbrough, the Vols were ranked No. 6 when they traveled to Rupp Arena. Bogans put on a show, scoring 25 points in an 81-68 win.
2. Indiana went to the National Championship game in 2002. The following year, they trailed by one with about 10 seconds to play at Freedom Hall. The shot was blocked and Mike Davis wanted a foul called. He lost his mind and went irate, storming onto the court before being ejected. Indiana basketball has never been the same since.
3. Some will say that the 2003 game against Florida is the loudest Rupp Arena has ever been. The Gators were ranked No. 1 and got absolutely BLITZED by the Wildcats. At one point, Kentucky led 60-31. Bogans scored 15 points in the jaw-dropping win.
4. The rubber match in Gainesville was a thriller. No. 2 vs. No. 3 went down to the wire. Bogans scored 15 points and Gerald Fitch had 18 in a 69-67 win over Billy Donovan’s team. After the game, a member of the Florida student section threw a stuffed Albert the Alligator on the floor. Bogans picked it up and punted it into the crowd, then he popped his jersey alongside Fitch right in front of the losing fans.
Top 10 Kentucky Basketball Leading Scorers
| # | Player | Seasons | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Issel | 3 | 83 | 2138 |
| 2 | Kenny Walker | 4 | 132 | 2080 |
| 3 | Jack Givens | 4 | 123 | 2038 |
| 4 | Keith Bogans | 4 | 135 | 1923 |
| 5 | Tony Delk | 4 | 133 | 1890 |
| 6 | Jamal Mashburn | 3 | 98 | 1843 |
| 7 | Kevin Grevey | 3 | 84 | 1801 |
| 8 | Tayshaun Prince | 4 | 135 | 1775 |
| 9 | Cotton Nash | 3 | 78 | 1770 |
| 10 | Alex Groza | 4 | 120 | 1744 |
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