UK Sports Legend Wallace ‘Wah Wah’ Jones Remembered

Friends and family remembered one of University of Kentucky greatest athletes, Wallace ‘Wah Wah’ Jones, at Lexington’s K Club Thursday evening.

Jones, originally from Harlan County, was a legendary football and basketball player in the late 1940’s, playing under coaches Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant.

Jones helped the Wildcats win the first of their eight national basketball titles and played three seasons for the football team. He is also the only Wildcat to have his jerseys retired in both sports.

"Wah Wah is just legendary," said Jennifer Brooks, Jones’ goddaughter.  "He’s just all-around athlete and it’s so amazing to be able to tell my kids all the accomplishments that he had throughout his life, just being all-Americans, his gold medal accomplishments and what he means to the university."

Jones went on to win a gold medal with the 1948 U.S. Olympic basketball team.
 
"He was always a very personable fellow and he would come and talk to you about anything," Former UK Basketball Player John Adams said. "If you had any questions about your career here, when I was in school, he’d talk to you about that."

Jones died Sunday. He was 88-years-old.