About the Guest(s):
Stan Key is a former University of Kentucky (UK) basketball player who played under legendary coach Adolph Rupp in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a senior during the 1971-1972 season, Stan was a significant contributor to the team, averaging 12.5 points per game. He hails from Hazel, a small town in Callaway County, Kentucky. In recognition of his outstanding high school basketball career, he was inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, host Gary Fogle sits down with Stan Key, a prominent figure in Kentucky's basketball history. Stan shares his journey from playing on makeshift hoops as a child to shining under coach Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky. Growing up in Hazel, Kentucky, his passion for basketball was nurtured by family traditions and the influence of local tournaments.
Stan reminisces about his high school years at Callaway County High, where he averaged nearly 30 points per game. Despite his school's proximity to Murray State, he chose to play for UK, living out a dream shaped more by the university's basketball renaissance than early childhood aspiration. In discussing his post-college career, Stan reveals that he continued playing basketball well into his adult years, only stopping due to knee replacements. He's embraced his role as a mentor for his grandson, passing on the love for the game. The episode wraps with reflections on his career and the joys of retirement, providing rich insights into his life and the evolving landscape of basketball in Kentucky.
Key Takeaways:
Stan Key's passion for basketball began in his childhood, encouraged by family traditions and participation in local sports.
Key had an impressive high school performance, where he averaged nearly 30 points per game, which paved the way for his collegiate career.
Despite growing up near Murray State, the allure of UK’s storied basketball program led Stan Key to play for the Wildcats.
Stan continued playing basketball until age 50, and now enjoys sharing his skills with his grandchildren.
Induction into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame underscores Stan Key's lasting impact on Kentucky basketball.
Notable Quotes:
"I would play all these games in the house, you know, and make believe that I was so and so and so and so..." - Stan Key
"I was fortunate to have a high school coach that gave me a lot of freedom...in terms of shooting and handling the ball." - Stan Key
"The legs are so important for the shot." - Stan Key
"I really couldn't find, you know, a better reason not to come to Kentucky..." - Stan Key
"...when I really sat down and thought about it and thought to have the opportunity to play at Kentucky, it would just be hard to pass up..." - Stan Key
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