April 1, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball signee Jon Hood has been named the state of Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball as announced by Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation, which presents the annual award.

Hood, who signed with the Wildcats in November, is the 16th Mr. Basketball from the state of Kentucky to sign with the Wildcats. Kentucky has signed the last two Mr. Basketball award winners, including Darius Miller, the 2008 winner.

Hood, who was also named the Gatorade State Player of the Year, averaged 29.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.1 blocked shots as a senior and scored 1,880 career points. He will receive the award and the No. 1 jersey, as the top player in the state, at a news conference in Madisonville at 2:30 p.m.