For nearly a decade, the rafters of Rupp Arena have sat quietly, with no new names or numbers joining Kentucky’s most exclusive club. The last Wildcat to be honored as a player was Tony Delk back in 2015. Tubby Smith had his jersey retired as a coach, and Mike Pratt was added in 2022, but that recognition also celebrated his broadcasting career.
Meanwhile, generations of Kentucky greats—both modern icons and past titans—are still waiting for their moment. Rupp Arena’s 39 retired jerseys tell the story of a program unlike any other, but there are still gaps.
It’s time for Kentucky to bring the tradition back to life and honor the players who defined eras, won championships, and captured the hearts of Big Blue Nation. These five should be first in line.
Antoine Walker: The Champion
Before Antoine Walker was shimmying in the NBA, he was dominating in Lexington. In just two years, he became the heartbeat of one of the most loaded college basketball rosters ever. His versatility and fire helped power Kentucky to the 1996 national title, cementing him as a fan favorite. Few players embodied “winning” quite like Walker—and that’s exactly what belongs in the rafters.
Rex Chapman: The King
For an entire generation of Wildcat fans, Rex Chapman was Kentucky basketball. Long before the one-and-done era, “King Rex” electrified Rupp with high-flying dunks, fearless scoring, and a swagger the program desperately needed in the late ’80s.
Chapman averaged 16 points as a freshman and 19 as a sophomore, racking up SEC Freshman of the Year and two All-SEC nods before jumping to the NBA in 1988. His legend has only grown with time. If Rupp Arena is truly a place for Kentucky royalty, then King Rex has to be up there.
Rajon Rondo: The Genius
Basketball IQ like Rajon Rondo’s doesn’t come around often. A Louisville native who chose Kentucky, Rondo was a savant—reading plays before they developed and making passes that most players couldn’t even imagine.
His shooting was his knock, but everything else was elite. Rondo averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and a jaw-dropping 6.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore guard. Tough, creative, and flat-out brilliant, Rondo’s uniqueness demands recognition. Simply put: there will never be another one like him.
Ron Mercer: The Scorer
When Kentucky needed a bucket in the 1996-97 season, everyone knew the ball was going to Ron Mercer—and still, nobody could stop him. Stepping into the spotlight after Tony Delk’s graduation, Mercer became the go-to guy, averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and shooting 49% from the field.
That year, he earned SEC Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors while leading Kentucky back to the national championship game. Mercer was clutch, efficient, and fearless—exactly the kind of Wildcat Rupp should never forget.
Anthony Davis: The Phenom
What Anthony Davis accomplished in a single season may never be topped. The 2011-12 campaign wasn’t just great—it was legendary. Davis swept nearly every major award: National Player of the Year, National Defensive Player of the Year, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and of course, National Champion.
He averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game, completely redefining what defense could look like in college basketball. His impact was so overwhelming that it’s almost shocking his jersey isn’t already hanging in the rafters. This one isn’t just overdue—it’s embarrassing.
A Tradition That Must Continue
These five players represent different eras, different styles, and different paths—but they all represent what makes Kentucky basketball sacred. And they aren’t alone. Names like Keith Bogans, John Wall, Ed Davender, and Jodie Meeks also deserve their place in the conversation.
But waiting another 10 years? That’s not an option. Kentucky has the greatest tradition in college basketball, and it’s time Rupp Arena reflects it. Raise the banners. Honor the legends. Show Big Blue Nation that the program never forgets its giants.
