Frank Ramsey (basketball)

Frank Vernon Ramsey, Jr. (born July 13, 1931 in Corydon, Kentucky) is a former professional basketball player and coach. A 6-3 guard, he played his entire nine-year (1954-1964) NBA career with the Boston Celtics and played a major role in the early part of their dynasty, winning seven championship rings. Ramsey was also a head coach for the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA during the 1970-1971 season.

University of Kentucky

Ramsey played college basketball at the University of Kentucky under legendary coach Adolph Rupp. As a sophomore in 1951 he helped Kentucky win the NCAA Championship with a 68-58 victory over Kansas State.

Related Topics:
University of Kentucky - Adolph Rupp - 1951 - NCAA Championship - Kansas State

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In the fall of 1952, a point-shaving scandal involving three Kentucky players (one of whom was a teammate of Ramsey on Kentucky?s 1951 NCAA champions) over a four-year period forced Kentucky to forfeit its upcoming season, Ramsey?s senior year. The suspension of the season made Kentucky's basketball team, in effect, the first college sports team to get the "death penalty." Had the NCAA allowed Kentucky to play, the Wildcats, led by Ramsey and Cliff Hagan, would likely have won their fourth NCAA title in six seasons.

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Ramsey graduated from Kentucky in 1953 and, as a result, became eligible for the NBA draft. After being selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round, Ramsey stayed at Kentucky for one more season and led the Wildcats to a perfect 25-0 record in 1954. Had the Wildcats not declined an NCAA bid, that team probably would also have won a championship; they finished the regular season ranked #1 by the Associated Press.

Related Topics:
1953 - NBA draft - 1954 - Associated Press

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Upon completion of his college career, Ramsey scored 1344 points, which at the time ranked him fourth in the school's history, and grabbed 1038 rebounds, a school record later surpassed by one of his future Kentucky Colonel players, Dan Issel.

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