LEXINGTON — A new memoir by Dan Issel offers an in-depth look at the life of one of Kentucky basketball’s most enduring figures, charting his journey from small-town beginnings to college stardom and a lengthy professional career that left a national footprint.
From Kentucky campus to professional courts
The University Press of Kentucky has published Dan Issel: From Kentucky Wildcat to NBA Legend, a book in which Issel revisits his upbringing, his playing days at the University of Kentucky and his time in professional basketball. Coauthored with veteran sportswriter Doug Brunk, the memoir frames Issel’s life as more than a chronicle of statistics, describing it instead as a story shaped by perseverance, faith and personal relationships.
Issel, affectionately nicknamed “The Horse,” is known to multiple generations of fans for his consistency and durability on the court. Over the course of his professional career he scored more than 27,000 points, and his accomplishments span both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association.
Career, character and contributions
The book navigates Issel’s record-setting seasons at Kentucky, his championship with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels and his NBA tenure with the Denver Nuggets, as well as later roles as a coach and executive. Those chapters underscore how his efforts both on and off the floor contributed to a lasting legacy in the sport.
Doug Brunk, who previously wrote about Kentucky’s 1978 title season and coauthored other books on local basketball figures, said the memoir highlights Issel’s work ethic and steady progression rather than talent that simply appeared overnight.
“It’s easy to assume greatness came naturally,” Brunk said. “But Dan is a wonderful example of a late bloomer whose success was built on hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to improving himself.”
Issel himself framed the memoir as reaching beyond state borders. He told readers the book is intended not only for Wildcats supporters but for basketball followers everywhere, hoping they would gain insight into the people and principles that influenced his life.
What the book offers local readers
For Kentucky readers, the memoir reconnects a familiar local figure with the university and the Commonwealth’s wider basketball culture. The account is described as combining personal recollection with reflections on faith, leadership and family — themes that the publisher and authors emphasize as central to Issel’s story.
- Authority: Issel’s career includes an ABA championship and later recognition in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Perspective: The book pairs Issel’s voice with Brunk’s reporting and narrative experience.
- Audience: Framed for both Kentucky fans and general basketball readers.
Quick reference: Issel’s public milestones
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| College | University of Kentucky, All-American |
| Professional teams | ABA’s Kentucky Colonels; NBA’s Denver Nuggets |
| Career scoring | More than 27,000 points |
| Postplaying roles | Coach and executive; Basketball Hall of Famer |
The book arrives through the University Press of Kentucky in partnership with the UK Alumni Association, reflecting the sustained connection between Issel and the university community. Those interested in Issel’s full account can find the memoir via the press and associated retail channels.
As Wildcats fans and local sports historians continue to examine the program’s rich past, Issel’s memoir adds a first-person narrative to the public record, offering context on a player whose career bridged college and professional eras and who remains a prominent figure in Kentucky basketball lore.
— Marcus Ellison, State Correspondent
