Kevin Michael Grevey, a towering 6’5″ (1.96 m) left-handed swingman, is a retired American professional basketball player whose career left an indelible mark on the sport. Grevey’s journey through the ranks of professional basketball, from his college days to his time in the NBA, is a story of perseverance and achievement.
College Stardom at the University of Kentucky
Grevey’s basketball journey began at the University of Kentucky, where he played under the guidance of legendary coach Adolph Rupp. Although freshmen weren’t eligible to play varsity basketball during his time, Grevey quickly made his mark when he joined the team as part of Rupp’s last freshman class. Throughout his collegiate career, Grevey’s exceptional skills earned him accolades, including First-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in all three of his college seasons.
In addition to his conference recognition, Grevey achieved All-American status in his junior and senior years. His scoring ability and all-around excellence on the court were evident as he consistently contributed to the team’s success. Notably, in his senior year, Grevey led Kentucky to the NCAA championship game, facing off against UCLA and the legendary coach John Wooden. Despite Kentucky’s loss in the final, Grevey’s performance was outstanding, scoring a game-high 34 points and earning a spot on the all-Final Four team.
By the time Grevey completed his collegiate career, he had amassed an impressive 1,801 points, securing his place in University of Kentucky history. His jersey number, 35, was rightfully retired in honor of his contributions to the program.
NBA Career and Accomplishments
In 1975, Grevey’s talents caught the attention of the Washington Bullets, who selected him in the first round (18th pick) of the NBA draft. He also garnered interest from the San Diego Sails, who chose him in the first round (sixth pick) of the 1975 ABA Draft. Grevey ultimately signed with the Bullets and embarked on his NBA journey.
During his early years with the Bullets, Grevey primarily played as a backup small forward and shooting guard. However, his role transformed when Phil Chenier suffered a season-ending back injury early in the 1977–78 season. Grevey stepped up as the starting off guard, averaging an impressive 15.5 points per game. His stellar contributions were instrumental in the Bullets’ triumphant NBA championship victory that season.
Grevey continued to shine in Washington for four more seasons, consistently maintaining scoring averages of no less than 13.3 points per game. Although an injury sidelined him for half of the 1982–83 season, he continued to be a valuable asset to his team. Eventually, he concluded his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks, bringing his total NBA seasons to ten.
Throughout his NBA tenure, Grevey showcased his scoring prowess, amassing 7,364 points over 672 games, which translated to an impressive average of 11.0 points per game. Notably, Grevey is often credited with the distinction of making one of the first three-pointers in NBA history when the three-point shot was introduced during the 1979–80 season.
Kevin Grevey‘s impact on the world of basketball, from his college stardom at the University of Kentucky to his illustrious NBA career, remains an integral part of the sport’s history. His journey exemplifies the dedication and perseverance required to achieve excellence on the basketball court.
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Richie Farmer
