Hopkinsville rolled out the big blue carpet for former University of Kentucky basketball star Jack Givens on Tuesday.
Givens spoke to Hopkinsville Rotarians Tuesday afternoon and said he thought former Kentucky coach John Calipari needed a new challenge when he left the Wildcats for Arkansas earlier in the spring. However, he said he hopes Wildcats fans will remember that Calipari brought respect back to the program during his 15 years in blue.
When Calipari comes back to Rupp Arena with Arkansas this season, he will be facing a different looking Kentucky squad, filled with a mixture of veteran transfers and talented freshmen. Givens believes first-year coach Mark Pope is the perfect coach to replace Calipari.
Givens said Kentucky may not get six to eight “one and done” players like they did with Calipari, but he believes that Pope still has the ability to get top-notch players to the Wildcats.
The current squad has Givens excited, mostly because of its veteran leadership and potential lethal shooting. He said Wildcats fans should recognize the qualities of the 2024-25 team.
Givens also promoted his new book, “They Call Me Goose: My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond.” In the book he talks about growing up in Lexington to his time as a star with Lexington Bryan Station High School. While he ultimately ended up at Kentucky, Givens said until his junior year in high school, he was favoring another rival.
Givens said his book also details his time with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, through some of his tough times and now his career as a commentator for the UK Sports Network.
Later Tuesday, Givens joined the Christian County UK Alumni Club for a reception and book signing at the Skyline Supper Club. He also spoke to a group of local students who will be leaving soon to attend school at the University of Kentucky.
“The Goose” was best known for helping the University of Kentucky defeat Duke 94-88 in the 1978 national championship game. The silk shooting left-hander scored 41 points in that championship game. He was part of one of Joe B. Hall’s best recruiting classes that included Rick Robey, Mike Phillips, and James Lee.
