Josie Gilvin has Always had Plenty of UK Ties

Josie Gilvin with UK coach Kenny Brooks. (UK Athletics Photo)

Kentucky guard Josie Gilvin’s mother, Danya McGrath Gilvin, played college basketball at the University of Louisville but is fine with her daughter’s transfer from Western Kentucky to UK to play for coach Kenny Brooks.

“I am fine with it. I graduated (from Louisville) in 1996. There is no one left from when I was there,” said Danya Gilvin. “I am obviously a Louisville fan but I am so far removed from it. I became a big Western fan. Obviously I have been busy with my kids at Sacred Heart and Trinity.

“I went on the visit with Josie to Kentucky and was really impressed with the facilities. I had never really had a tour of the athletics facility and what they have going on for women really impressed me.”

Josie Gilvin, a 6-foot guard, was part of two state championship teams at Louisville Sacred Heart and her 27 steals during the 2021 state tourney when she was tourney MVP set a new state tourney record.

She was an All-Conference USA second team pick last season after averaging 13. 1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. She shot 53.2 percent overall from the field and 41.3 percent from 3-point range.  She was second on the team in scoring and first in rebounds, steals, and blocks. She was named to the conference all-defensive team and broke the school and conference record for most steals in a game with 11.
Gilvin has played in 97 collegiate games.

While Josie Gilvin’s mom played at Louisville, the new UK player has plenty of Kentucky connections.

“Her dad’s side of the family is from Lexington. Her dad went to Henry Clay (High School). Her grandmother lives in the Chevy Chase area (of Lexington). She has other relatives in town,” Dayna Gilvin said.

“Josie has always been a Kentucky fan, Her dad is a Kentucky fan. Her siblings are. I was like, ‘Guys, I played for UofL,’ but they have all been Kentucky fans and she definitely is a Kentucky girl.’

Her uncle, John McGrath, played football at the University of Kentucky and was a NFL official for 15 years before retiring in 2017. He worked one Super Bowl.

“There were eight of us (children). I am the baby,” Danya Gilvin said. “He is very, very excited about having her at Kentucky.”