All-Time Kentucky Team (Starting SF): #24 Jamal Mashburn

Next up on our All Time Kentucky Team is a player who needs but four letters of introduction: Mash.

Jamal Mashburn is arguably the most important Kentucky player of the modern era. He was the first big time recruit to sign with Rick Pitino after he took over, signing when he knew full well UK would be ineligible for the post-season his first season. He became an integral part of the team from day one, and frankly, is one of the biggest reasons why I became so obsessed with UK basketball from a young age.

He came to UK from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, opening up the northeast for UK and Rick Pitino, which turned out to be key for the schools recruiting strategy in the next few years.

Kentucky 1990-1993

Mashburn was a starter alongside the Unforgettables from day one. During his first season, he averaged 12.9 points and 7 rebounds, helping to lead the ‘Cats to a 22-6 record and the best record in the SEC. Unfortunately, UK was ineligible for the SEC title and the NCAA Tournament, so they settled for a final ranking of number nine in the nation.

There would be no sophomore slump for Mash. He led UK to an SEC East title, an SEC Tournament title, and a number two seed in the NCAA Tournament. The ‘Cats sprinted through to the Elite Eight, and were met by Christian Laettner and the Duke Blue Devils. I don’t really think I need to tell you that UK’s season ended against them in Philadelphia.

Mash finished the season as a second team All American according to some publications and a consensus first team All SEC performer after averaging 21.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He was also named SEC Tournament MVP.

The ‘Cats entered Mash’s junior year as a pre-season top five team with Mashburn as a pre-season All America pick. Both lived up to the hype.

They didn’t lose a game until their third SEC game against Vanderbilt and lost just three regular season games on the way to the number one seed in the Southeast Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Mash and company blazed through the regional. No team stayed within 21 before UK played against Michigan and the Fab Five. For the second straight year, UK’s season ended in overtime heartbreak, even though Mashburn scored 26 points in defeat.

Mashburn was named SEC Player of the Year and was a unanimous pick as a first team All American. He tallied 21 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. After three seasons in Lexington, Jamal Mashburn elected to jump to the NBA.

Even though he left early, he still stands as the sixth leading scorer in the history of the program, as well as the 17th leading rebounder. He also is among career leaders in free throws made, free throws attempted, field goals, three point field goals, and steals.

After UK

Sometimes when players leave early for the NBA, they aren’t quite prepared. Mash was NBA ready.

He was selected with the fourth pick in the NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks and, like at UK, was a major factor from day one. He scored 19.1 points per game as a rookie, best in the league for first year players, and was named first team All Rookie as the second youngest player in the NBA.

In his second year, he developed his game further, averaging 24.1 points on a much improved Mavs team with new teammate Jason Kidd. He also had a 50 point game during that season, becoming the second youngest player in league history to hit the 50 point mark.

Unfortunately, injury would derail most of the following season, beginning a trend for his career. He would play no more than 69 games in a season until 1999-2000, a few years after being traded to the Miami Heat. He would have a solid year that season, then a career year in 2000-2001. He ranked in the top 30 in the NBA in points (20.1), rebounds (7.6), and assists (5.4), leading his new team, the Charlotte Hornets, to the playoffs.

Mash battled vertigo the following season, but made a comeback in 2002-2003 from the debilitating illness to play in all 82 of his team’s games for the first time in his career, starting 81. He averaged 21.6 points per game.

He retired from the Miami Heat after an unhealthy 2003-2004 season with career averages of 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He currently works for ESPN and he announced UK’s 2000th win in program history for the network. He lives in Miami with his wife and two children.