Don Mills (basketball)
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Berea (Berea, Kentucky) |
| College | Kentucky (1957–1960) |
| NBA draft | 1960: 18th round, 92nd overall pick |
| Drafted by | Syracuse Nationals |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 54 |
| Career highlights | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Don Mills is a former American college basketball player. He is best known as a key reserve on the University of Kentucky's 1958 NCAA championship team.
Mills was recruited to play basketball at the University of Kentucky by head coach Adolph Rupp following an All-American season at Berea Community High School.[1] As a sophomore (the first season he was eligible to play), Mills was the first player off the bench for the "Fiddlin' Five" during the 1957-58 season. He played a significant role in the 1958 Championship Game against Seattle after starting center Ed Beck was sidelined due to foul trouble. Mills scored nine points off the bench, including a hook shot over Seattle's Elgin Baylor with 5:50 minutes left in the second half to give Kentucky the lead.[2]
Mills became the Wildcats' starting center the following season. As a senior, he averaged 12.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game and was named second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the Associated Press and first team All-SEC by the conference's coaches.[3] He finished his collegiate career with 699 rebounds (9.4 per game) and 664 points (9.4 per game) in 71 total games played.[4]