Basketball still favorite sport of Kentucky
For fan interest at the high school and college level, it might be hard to top the Bluegrass State.
Who's Next?
The most hallowed state tournament is played each March at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The Bluegrass State crowns a true champion after an exhaustive single-class tournament. Meaning schools from tiny hamlets in the coal region may find themselves tackling an opponent from Louisville or Lexington with an enrollments larger than their hometowns. This year's Sweet 16 Tournament might feature the likes of Elliott County, Jeffersontown, Holmes and Scott County.
Among the leading candidates for Mr. Basketball are 6-foot-6 Jon Hood and 6-2 Evan Faulkner. The Commonwealth's top player might be a junior -- 6-8 Matt St. John of South Laurel or Kentucky-bound 6-7 Dakotah Euton of Scott County.
-- Christopher Lawlor
The attendance at state tournament games and at rival colleges Kentucky and Louisville remains among the highest in the country. The high school "Sweet 16" state tournament is referred to by the locals as the "Greatest Show On Earth." The 16 teams who qualify for postseason play compete in a one-class format from Wednesday through Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington and usually draws between 16,000 to 20,000 fans per session. There is no seeding, with a blind draw determining the opponents.
"Basketball is king in the Bluegrass State," says Rick Bolus, who has operated the High Potential Basketball Recruiting Service and camps for 36 years. "Kentucky is one of the few states that doesn't have a class system which has destroyed attendance [records] at Indiana's state tournament."
Top all-time Kentucky players:
Butch Beard (Breckenridge County, Hardinsburg)
Ralph Beard (Male, Lousville)
Rex Chapman (Apollo, Owensboro)
"King" Kelly Coleman (Wayland)
Dave Cowens (Central Catholic, Covington)
Jack Givens (Bryan Station, Lexington)
Darrell Griffith (Male, Louisville)
Cliff Hagen (Owensboro)
Allan Houston (Ballard, Louisville)
Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones (Harland)
Wes Unseld (Seneca, Louisville)
Doug Huff is a senior editor of ESPN RISE.
Featured Profiles
Sneakersensei
- How do the Georgia Bulldogs find their way into the heart of a confirmed New York (and Syracuse) fan? Have at him! More
GREAT STATE DEBATE
The Great State Debate poses a simple question: Which state has the best high school basketball? We narrowed the field to six. SportsNation selected the final two from a group of six. In the eight team bracket, Michigan was crowned champion. MORE
California
// California, Illinois boast impressive résumés
// Flores: Debate within a state
// Golden State advances to Round 2
// California edges past New Jersey
// Round 1: California vs. New Jersey
// Watch: California legendsGeorgia
// Georgia legends
// Winklejohn: SW Macon still rememberedIllinois
// Michigan, Illinois vie for title
// Peoria, not Chicago, boasts best high school hoops
// California, Illinois boast impressive résumés
// Illinois advances in Round 1
// Bush: Pingatore sets high bar in Illinois
// Round 1: Kentucky vs. Illinois
// Watch: Illinois legendsIndiana
// Indiana legends / Highlights
// Giuffra: Half man, half amazing // Indiana faces tough test in New York
// Indiana, Kentucky voted inKentucky
// Bluegrass State eyes upset in Round 1 // Bluegrass legends // Indiana, Kentucky voted inMichigan
// Michigan crowned Greatest State
// Watch: Jemele Hill states her case for Michigan
// Michigan natives star in-state
// Michigan, Illinois vie for title
// Michigan takes a bite out of New York
// New York, Michigan clash in semifinals
// Flint's blue-collar mentality produces top-flight talent
// Michigan muscles out Pennsylvania
// Michigan meets Pennsylvania in first round
// Watch: Michigan highlightsNew Jersey
// Round 1: California vs. New Jersey
// Watch: New Jersey legendsNew York
// Why NYC is best place for high school hoops
// New York advances in Round 1
// Kitts: Dan Buckley Gym a treasure
// X's and O's with Jack Curran
// Indiana faces tough test in New York
// Watch: New York legendsNorth Carolina
// North Carolina legends / Highlights
// From Worthy to today, North Carolina produces hoops prodigiesPennsylvania
// Philly gives Pennsylvania hoops its clout
// Michigan meets Pennsylvania in first round
Texas
// Texas legends / Highlights
// Texas stakes its claim as basketball stateVirginia
// Virginia legends / AI's two-sport beginnings
// Rapoport: Virginia is for ballers
