March 24, 1999
Padgett Named All-American
University of Kentucky forward Scott Padgett has been selected a 1999 JohnWooden All-American by The Los Angeles Athletic Club, it was announced lateTuesday.
The 6-9 senior from Louisville, Ky., was one of 10 players selected to thelist. He was previously named an honorable mention All-American by TheAssociated Press.
Joining him on the Wooden All-America Team were Elton Brand (Duke), MateenCleaves (Michigan State), Evan Eschmeyer (Northwestern), Richard Hamilton(Connecticut), Trajan Langdon (Duke), Andre Miller (Utah), Chris Porter(Auburn), Wally Szczerbiak (Miami, Ohio) and Jason Terry (Arizona).
Padgett led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, as UK advanced to the Elite Eight ofthe 1999 NCAA Tournament. His top performance occurred against Kansas inthe second round of tournament where he poured in a career-high 29 pointsas the Wildcats won in overtime, 92-88. His clutch three-pointer with 20seconds remaining tied the game in regulation.
Padgett also was a 1999 All-Southeastern Conference selection and anAcademic All-SEC pick for the second straight season.
Wildcat in Three-Point Shootout UK senior Scott Padgett will compete in a three-point shootout in Tampa onThursday, March 25, as part of the College Slam Dunk & Three-Point ShootingChampionships presented by Pepsi One.
Padgett will compete against the likes of Pat Bradley (Arkansas), ArthurLee (Stanford), Quincy Lewis (Minnesota), Ryan Robertson (Kansas), andJason Terry (Arizona).
The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ice Palace, will be delayedbroadcast on ESPN beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET. Brad Nessler, Dick Vitale andJay Bilas will call the action of the men’s and women’s three-point contestand slam dunk event.
Smith to Coach All-Stars
UK coach Tubby Smith and Utah head man Rick Majerus will serve as coachesof the 37th annual National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)All-Star Game on Friday, March 26 in Tampa. The East vs. West Classic willbe played at the University of South Florida and will tip-off the FinalFour festivities for the annual NABC Convention.
“This is a great opportunity and an exciting time to coach some of thebest players in college basketball,” said Smith, who will direct the Eastsquad. “It will be my first chance to coach a college all-star team and Iknow it will be an important part of the Final Four weekend.”
The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Sun Dome on the USF campus. A selectgroup of all-stars will compete in the pregame NABC Slam Dunk Championshipand Hot Shot Challenge, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at theSun Dome and through Tampa-area TicketMaster outlets by calling813-287-8844. The game will not be televised.
Smith Featured On National Networks
Coach Tubby Smith will be one of several college coaches who will appearlive on CBS prior to the national semifinals on Saturday, March 27. Thepregame show airs from 4-5:30 p.m. ET and Smith will appear with CBS’Michelle Tafoya, Iowa’s Steve Alford and St. John’s Mike Jarvis.
On Monday, March 29, Smith is the featured guest on “Up Close with GaryMiller,” the nightly show on ESPN. It can be seen from 6-6:30 p.m. ET,prior to SportsCenter.
