Sad day for hoops in the state of Kentucky (2 Deaths)

[Ego74]

UK Equipment Manager Dies After Fall

MR WILDCAT dead

Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley, who was with the Wildcats for 48 seasons, died Monday in Cincinnati. He was 81.
Keightley died of internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor on his spine, the university said in a statement. Kentucky spokesman Scott Stricklin said Keightley was on a trip to see the Reds' season-opener and suffered a fall.
He was taken to University Hospital, where he died of internal bleeding Monday evening. Stricklin said doctors believe the fall was probably due to bleeding.
Keightley, known to many as Mr. Wildcat, started working at UK in 1962, as the equipment manager.
In 2002, the university presented the first Bill Keightley award. It's given to the "individual who understands and exemplifies the pride, respect, and the positive attributes associated with being a part of the Kentucky basketball program."
The Lawrenceburg, Ky. native had his jersey retired in the rafters at Rupp Arena in 1997. He's one of only two people who did not play or coach. The other was broadcaster Cawood Ledford. Keightley was also inducted into the charter class of the university's Hall of Fame in 2005.

[Ego74]

Former UK and UL player Marvin Stone collapses and dies

Marvin Stone collapses, dies in Saudi Arabia | courier-journal | The Courier-Journal

Marvin Stone, who played basketball for both the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky, died today of an apparent heart attack while playing pro basketball in Saudi Arabia, according to a release from U of L.

Stone, 27, was playing for Al Ittihad Jeddah in the Saudi Arabia Elite Cup semifinals at the time.

"It really saddens all of us at U of L to see a young man like Marvin lose his life at such a young age," U of L coach Rick Pitino said. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the Stone family."

Stone played center for one season at U of L after transferring from Kentucky. As a senior in 2002-03, he started 23 games and averaged 10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots.

Stone left UK after nine games into his junior season. He averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds as a freshman and 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds as a sophomore.

Stone was a McDonald's and Parade All-American out of Grissom High School in Huntsville, Ala.

[Ego74]

Remembering Mr Wildcat

Remembering Mr. Wildcat | Heraldleaderphoto.com

[winkyduck]

27 and a heart attack? WOW!

[Ego74]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of both

Truly a sad day for us from the Bluegrass State

[The General]

Originally Posted by Ego74

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of both

Ditto