Walter Vernon "Vern" Hatton (born January 13, 1936) is an American basketball player who won a national championship as a player at the University of Kentucky and played professionally in the National Basketball Association.

Kentucky career

Hatton played under Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp. He is considered a Kentucky basketball legend largely due to a memorable half-court shot he made to force a third overtime in a victory over Temple University. He was voted an honorable mention All-American his

senior year Senior Year may refer to: * Senior (education), the final year in high school or college * ''Senior Year'' (2010 film), the 2010 film by Filipino director Jerrold Tarog * ''Senior Year'' (2022 film), a film starring Rebel Wilson * The Lockheed U-2 ...

and scored 30 points to lead the Kentucky Wildcats over Elgin Baylor-led Seattle in winning the 1958 NCAA men's basketball championship. Hatton was named a member of the NCAA All-Tournament team for 1958 along with Baylor,

Johnny Cox Johnny W. Cox (born November 1, 1936) is a retired American basketball player. A 6'4" guard from Hazard High School in Kentucky, Cox starred at the University of Kentucky from 1956 to 1959. He scored 1,461 points in 84 career games and won an ...

, and Guy Rodgers. Hatton said of playing for Rupp, "It takes you six to eight years to get over playing for Adolph Rupp, but once you get over it, you get to like him."

Professional career

He was drafted 9th overall in the 1958 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He played four years in the NBA, mainly for the

Philadelphia Warriors The history of the Golden State Warriors began in Philadelphia in 1946. In 1962, the franchise was relocated to San Francisco, California and became known as the San Francisco Warriors until 1971, when its name was changed to the current Golden St ...

Personal life

Hatton is married with three sons and is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Hummer, Steve
"In the beginning"
'' The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'', 2 April 2013. Retrieved on 24 April 2021.

References

Additional reading

*Clark, Ryan, ''Game of my Life: Kentucky – Memorable Stories of Wildcats Basketball'' Sports Publishing LLC, Champaign IL, 2007.

External links

Basketball Reference Vern Hatton

Vernon Hatton 1936 births Living people American men's basketball players Basketball players from Lexington, Kentucky Chicago Packers players Cincinnati Royals draft picks Cincinnati Royals players Guards (basketball) Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball players People from Owingsville, Kentucky Philadelphia Warriors players St. Louis Hawks players {{1930s-US-basketball-bio-stub