Don Mills (basketball)

Don Mills is a former American college basketball player. He is best known as a key reserve on the University of Kentucky's 1958 NCAA championship team.

Don Mills
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolBarea (Berea, Kentucky)
CollegeKentucky (1957–1960)
NBA draft1960: 18th round, 92nd overall pick
Selected by the Syracuse Nationals
PositionCenter
Number54
Career highlights and awards

College career

Mills was recruited to play basketball at the University of Kentucky by head coach Adolph Rupp following an All-American season at Berea Community High School.[1] As a sophomore (the first season he was eligible to play), Mills was the first player off the bench for the "Fiddlin' Five" during the 1957-58 season. He played a significant role in the 1958 Championship Game against Seattle after starting center Ed Beck was sidelined due to foul trouble. Mills scored nine points off the bench, including a hook shot over Seattle's Elgin Baylor with 5:50 minutes left in the second half to give Kentucky the lead.[2]

Mills became the Wildcats' starting center the following season. As a senior, he averaged 12.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game and was named second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the Associated Press and first team All-SEC by the conference's coaches.[3] He finished his collegiate career with 699 rebounds (9.4 per game) and 664 points (9.4 per game) in 71 total games played.[4]

Post-Kentucky

Mills was selected in the 18th round (92nd overall) by the Syracuse Nationals in the 1960 NBA draft but never played in an NBA game.[5]

References
  1. Riggs, Lex. "Henderson City High School, 1955 to 1963: All-State, All-American High School Basketball teams 1955-56". City-High-Flash1955-56.Tripod.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  2. Sullivan, Alan (2014). "Fiddlin' and Travelin'". Voice of the Wildcats: Claude Sullivan and the Rise of Modern Sportscasting. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813147048. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  3. "Men's Basketball Awards and Honors". UKAthletics.com. University of Kentucky Wildcats Athletic Department. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  4. "Don Mills College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  5. "1960 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
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