Professional Basketball Player, Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Born Kenneth Herman Rollins, he was raised in Kentucky where he attended Wickliffe High School and played collegiate basketball at the University of Kentucky. His studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Military during World War II and upon his return home, he resumed what was to become an accomplished collegiate athletic career. He achieved All-SEC status twice (1947 and 1948) while playing at the guard position and was a key contributor to Adolph Rupp's squad which captured the 1948 NCAA Title. That summer he achieved Olympic gold as a member of the United States Basketball squad which defeated France in London. Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons of the Basketball Association of America in 1948, he ended up with the Chicago Stags and had the distinction of playing for them during the National Basketball Association's debut season after its formation with the BAA (Basketball Association of America) and NBL (National Basketball League). He concluded his professional career in 1953 as a member of the Boston Celtics and in three seasons (1948 to 1950 and 1952-1953), he appeared in 168 regular season games totaling 817 points. Following his basketball career, he worked for a national container company in Florida. His uniform number 26 has been retired by the University of Kentucky.
Professional Basketball Player, Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Born Kenneth Herman Rollins, he was raised in Kentucky where he attended Wickliffe High School and played collegiate basketball at the University of Kentucky. His studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Military during World War II and upon his return home, he resumed what was to become an accomplished collegiate athletic career. He achieved All-SEC status twice (1947 and 1948) while playing at the guard position and was a key contributor to Adolph Rupp's squad which captured the 1948 NCAA Title. That summer he achieved Olympic gold as a member of the United States Basketball squad which defeated France in London. Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons of the Basketball Association of America in 1948, he ended up with the Chicago Stags and had the distinction of playing for them during the National Basketball Association's debut season after its formation with the BAA (Basketball Association of America) and NBL (National Basketball League). He concluded his professional career in 1953 as a member of the Boston Celtics and in three seasons (1948 to 1950 and 1952-1953), he appeared in 168 regular season games totaling 817 points. Following his basketball career, he worked for a national container company in Florida. His uniform number 26 has been retired by the University of Kentucky.
Bio by: C.S.
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