Former Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith ‘humbled’ to have jersey retired in Rupp Arena
Former Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith who led the Wildcats to the national championship in 1998 will finally have his number retired by the university.
In a move that is long overdue, Tubby Smith will finally have his name hanging among the other Kentucky basketball legends in the rafters of Rupp Arena.
The university announced on Tuesday night that Smith will be enshrined with the legends of Lexington with a No. 1 being added to the rafters when High Point visits on Dec. 31.
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart revealed the news to Smith during a virtual appearance on BBN Tonight, saying, “We’re going to add one Tubby Smith to the rafters of Rupp Arena, and we’re absolutely excited about it.”
Smith has coached High Point since 2018, and when he brings his team to Kentucky on New Year’s Eve, he will become the 45th jersey to be raised to the Rupp Arena rafters.
“It’s very humbling,” Smith said in a virtual appearance on the “BBN Tonight” television show. “We’re very grateful to have had an opportunity to lead that program.
“Some wonderful people there. Wonderful fans. You can’t find better people.”
Earlier today, @UKMitchBarnhart surprised @CoachTubbySmith with some special news.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 20, 2021
"We're going to add one Tubby Smith to the rafters of Rupp Arena, and we're absolutely excited about it." pic.twitter.com/8pjzptPudl
Reactions to Tubby Smith getting his number retired at Rupp Arena
Smith was an assistant under head coach Rick Pitino from 1989-1991 before leaving for head coaching opportunities at Tulsa and later Georgia before returning to Kentucky after Pitino left for the NBA in 1997.
There, Smith quickly won a national championship in his first season in 1997-1998, won five regular-season SEC titles, five SEC Tournaments and had a 263-83 record in his tenure.
Smith was elected to the Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2013.
You won't find a better person than tubby. It's about time this happened. Real happy for him
— Brian Ochs (@UKTOPPER8605) October 20, 2021
Congratulations Coach, we still love you and Ms. Donna up here, and were so very lucky to have y'all lead our CATS. Can't wait to see y'all take your rightful place with a jersey being put in the Rafters of Rupp
— Dewayne Weaver (@daweaver323) October 20, 2021
No better person has ever led our program. Thank you @CoachTubbySmith for all you did for Kentucky, but most of all thank you for being the kind of person you are. I met you my Jr year, your 1st on campus. You made me feel like an old friend. Not many folks have that effect.
— Shawn King PharmD, BCPS (@Kentuckyfootb14) October 20, 2021
Even an Indiana basketball fan has respect and admiration for the man Smith was on and off the court.
Kentucky basketball fans can expect the Dec. 31 game vs. High Point to be one of the hottest tickets this season because of Smith being honored.
Next. Top 25 college basketball teams of all time. dark
For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.