Some sad news for the Big Blue Nation was revealed earlier this week. Bill Smith, who was a member of Kentucky men’s basketball’s 1958 national championship team, passed away on Monday, July 10 at the age of 87. The University of Kentucky announced the news this past Wednesday.
Born William “Bill” Ronald Smith on Feb. 17, 1936, as the son of James Scott and Beulah Roberts Smith, the former Wildcat graduated from northern Kentucky’s Walton-Verona High School in 1953 and went on to suit up for the Kentucky men’s basketball team. He appeared in 24 varsity games across three seasons (1955-58) under legendary head coach Adolph Rupp, totaling 33 points and 34 rebounds throughout his college career.