Dan Issel memoir traces path from Kentucky to NBA stardom<\/p>\n
Published 10:31 am Friday, September 25, 2026<\/p>\n
LEXINGTON \u2013 The University Press of Kentucky has announced the publication of \u201cDan Issel: From Kentucky Wildcat to NBA Legend,\u201d the memoir of one of the most accomplished and beloved figures in UK basketball history.<\/p>\n
A UK All-American, ABA champion, NBA star, coach, executive and Basketball Hall of Famer, Issel left an undeniable mark on the game of basketball at every level. Known to generations of fans as \u201cThe Horse\u201d for his legendary durability and consistency, Issel scored more than 27,000 points during his professional career and remains among the sport\u2019s all-time leading scorers.<\/p>\n
Written with award-winning journalist Doug Brunk, \u201cDan Issel: From Kentucky Wildcat to NBA Legend\u201d offers readers an intimate look at the life and career of a Kentucky sports icon. With candor and insight, Issel reflects on his upbringing in rural Illinois, his record-setting years at the University of Kentucky, his professional success with the ABA\u2019s Kentucky Colonels and NBA\u2019s Denver Nuggets, and the relationships, values and moments that guided his remarkable journey.<\/p>\n
More than a basketball memoir, the book is described as a story of perseverance, leadership, family, faith and the enduring bond between an athlete and the fans who supported him throughout his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis book is for more than just Kentucky fans. It\u2019s for basketball fans everywhere,\u201d Issel said. \u201cI hope readers enjoy reliving memories with me and come away with a deeper appreciation for the people, faith and experiences that shaped my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brunk, who also wrote \u201cForty Minutes to Glory: Inside the Kentucky Wildcats\u2019 1978 Championship Season\u201d and coauthored \u201cThey Call Me Goose: My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond,\u201d said the book reveals the determination and character behind Issel\u2019s storied career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s easy to assume greatness came naturally,\u201d he stated. \u201cBut Dan is a wonderful example of a late bloomer whose success was built on hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to improving himself. Kentucky became a defining part of his life, and this book tells that story in a way only Dan can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The University Press of Kentucky and the UK Alumni Association will host a special book launch event featuring Issel, Brunk and Tom Hammond, who enjoyed a three-decade career with NBC Sports. The launch is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the E.S. Good Barn Gorham Hall, 1451 University Drive in Lexington. <\/p>\n
The $50 ticket includes admission plus a hardcover copy of the book.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dan Issel memoir traces path from Kentucky to NBA stardom Published 10:31 am Friday, September 25, 2026 LEXINGTON…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":860362,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[355,99],"class_list":["post-860361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-nba","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/860362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=860361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=860361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}