quote:
I want to say, and this is odd but UK basketball didn't integrate until 71. Great Kentucky high school players left that state, Wes Unseld being one.

Wes Unseld was recruited by Rupp. He didn't think UK would be that interested which resulted in an awkward home visit with his family and then there was the concern about playing in the South before the Civil Rights Act was passed. Larry Conley talked about when he met with Unseld, he expressed that he didn't want to be the first black player in the SEC. And that made sense for a guy good enough to go just about anywhere.

ETA: Butch Beard actually tried to get out of his LOI with the Missouri Valley Conference to come to UK after a change of heart. The family hired an attorney to try to get the release but it didn't work out.

This post was edited on 9/23/16 at 2:50 pm

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Posted by I-59 Tiger

Vestavia Hills, AL

Member since Sep 2003

36703 posts

Posted on 9/23/16 at 3:32 pm to BluegrassBelle

quote:
ETA: Butch Beard actually tried to get out of his LOI with the Missouri Valley Conference to come to UK after a change of heart. The family hired an attorney to try to get the release but it didn't work out.

He really did want to play for UK. Louisville and MVC sort of passed the buck as to who wouldn't let him out of his scholarship.(Contrary to the headline it didn't work out and he went to Louisville.)