Mike Casey (34) with UK teammates Dan Issel and Mike Pratt along with UK coach Adolph Rupp. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky fan Terry Hall of Louisville played basketball and baseball at Shelby County with former UK basketball standout Mike Casey, who was Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball in 1966 when he led Shelby to the state championship.
Casey signed to play for Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp and was UK’s leading scorer as a sophomore when he averaged 20.1 points per game playing with Dan Issel and Mike Pratt. He was even featured on a Sports Illustrated cover.
He averaged 19.1 points per game as a junior but missed the 1969-70 season after suffering a broken leg in a car accident. He returned for the 1970-71 season after Issel and Pratt graduated and finished his UK career with 1,535 points along with 558 rebounds and 260 assists. He shot 48.2 percent from the field in his career.
Issel, UK’s all-time leading scorer, called Casey “one of the best players ever to play at Kentucky.”
Hall certainly agrees.
“Mike’s hoops game reminded me of a shorter version of Larry Bird. I’ve seen every UK player since the 1958 Rupp’s Runs and I would still put him in my top 15 Wildcats,” Hall said. “Not honoring him with a jersey hanging in Rupp Arena is a gross oversight.”
Hall shared that thought when recently wishing a “heavenly birthday” to his former teammate who passed away in 2009 and many others believe Casey’s jersey should also be hanging in Rupp Arena. That was a sentiment Pratt voiced numerous times before his own passing.
Hall said Casey was also a terrific shortstop and left-handed line drive hitter.
“My first memories of Mike was when I was in the seventh grade at Cropper (elementary school) playing Mike’s Simpsonville team. He played on the front of their 2-3 zone and he was so tall and long I couldn’t get my shot off,” Hall said. “The next summer he and his Pony League came to Cropper. Before the game I was warming up when Mike came over and we had our first conversation.”
24 Responses
I agree that Mike Casey should have his jersey hung in the rafters.
In my opinion, another player that should also have his jersey retired is Adrian "Odie" Smith.
Odie was a key player on the 1958 National Championship Team.
He won a Gold Medal playing basketball in the 1960 Rome Olympics with Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Jerry Lucas, Walt Bellamy and other famous players.
He played in the NBA for the Cincinnati Royals, San Francisco Warriors and in the ABA for the Virginia Squires.
He was the MVP of the 1966 NBA all-star game.
I hope both "Odie and Mike Casey get the recognition they deserve this season.
Odie was a gem. Him and Casey should both be there
I don’t remember him but agree with you after you placed him with the great Big “O” & Jerry West and Jerry Lucas & the Bell (Walt Bellamy).
My fading memory was watching UK beat Elgin Baylor in ‘58 for the Title, on a small B&W TV. Jonny Cox & Billy Ray Lickert are 2 I recall.
Had the privilege of seeing UK upset Lucas (& Siegfried & others) with on the great hio’s State team, in Memorial Coliseum!
Also got to see Jerry Wear (score 44? – really not sure) vs UK in Memorial Coliseum. Don’t recall who won.
Saw the Big “O” on TV a couple times and went to see Lucas & the Big “O” in Cincinnati at the only pro BB game that I ever went to.
Some fond memories of BB in the good ole days when stars were real stars and not prima donnas with questionable stardom.
Was also at Memorial Coliseum for that Ohio State game. Long time ago.
Mike Casey was 100 times more UK than the vast majority of 1 & dones. He was one of the greatest KY HS players – I saw Mike & Terry Mills in KY HS State Tourney & can still picture some of their moves. Also one of the greatest UK players!
A shorter version of Larry Bird is an excellent description of one of the greatest to ever wear the UK jersey.
Issel, Pratt & Casey were UK ambassadors who really cherished UK. I had the privilege to meet & spend some time with Casey one weekend during the year he missed – a great person. Also met Issel a few times in a good friend’s dorm room he would frequent. Wonderful times with great people who were part of setting the standard of UK BB.
I miss the days when UK had such players – Rupps Runts, Cotton Nash, Robey & Phillips, the Unforgettables, ‘96 & ‘ 98 Champs, Darius Miller & more.
Great post Little Baron
Thanks, Larry. Appreciate that very much!
The article was refreshing!
I had the pleasure of playing fast-pitch softball with Mike. He was one of the two best shortstops I ever saw play the game. We played 84 games one year and Mike made 1 error. He was a great teammate and a great friend.
That is crazy Ron. 1 error in 84 games
Interesting. I have a memory of going to a soft ball tournament in Jacksonville FL in the early to mid 1970s, and Mike Casey was playing.
I remember Casey bouncing a tennis ball off of a few walls and into a basket with amazing consistency, starting from various places in a room, he ahd an uncanny ability to such things. It reminded me of when he played HS ball & made many unique moves inside to get in position to score.
Mike was before my time but my dad always felt that broken leg cost UK a NCAA Championship. He said Mike was that good.
Your dad was right
Mike & Mike ( Casey and Pratt ) lived below me . Issel and Pool were right next door. Haggin Hall. Freshman team had Mr. Basketball’s from 6 states !
Could write a book but my wife’s still alive !
Now those were some great dorm mates
And I would like to see those stories Paul
Just put it in the rafters.
I’ll add another, Claude Sullivan. He has earned it.
Great suggestion Bobby
You are right Bobby. Claude Sullivan was a gem. Listened to him on my transistor radio. I felt like I had “The Best Seat In The House “!!!!
I have been saying for years that Mike’s jersey should be there with Pratt and Issel. I knew Mike for years and spent a lot of time with him. We played a lot of softball together and was one of the best shortstop I have ever seen. I remember a tournament in Seymour, In
where he fouled a ball into the parking lot and you could hear a windshield break. He laughed about it until he found out it was his car and then he laughed louder. He was a great basketball player and a great person. Time to honor him and hang his jersey
Well said Gary … I can believe he laughed at himself like that too
Great article Larry! I’m having trouble remembering a lot of things these days but this article and the comments opened the floodgates for me. Enjoyed all of the comments as well. I agree – His jersey should be in the rafters!!
Casey jersey retirement longtime overdue
A great player but a greater friend REST IN PEACE CASE