Don Mills (basketball)
Don Mills | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Collegiate basketball player |
| Known for | Member of 1958 NCAA championship-winning University of Kentucky basketball team |
Don Mills is a former collegiate basketball athlete from the United States, recognized for his significant contribution as a vital reserve on the University of Kentucky squad that secured the 1958 NCAA championship.
College career
After an All-American performance at Berea Community High School, Mills was recruited by coach Adolph Rupp. During the 1957-58 season, he served as the primary substitute for the team known as the "Fiddlin' Five." In the 1958 Championship Game against Seattle, Mills contributed nine points off the bench. Notably, he executed a critical hook shot over Seattle’s star Elgin Baylor, which put Kentucky ahead in the closing moments of the contest.
The following year, Mills earned the starting center position for the Wildcats. His senior year statistics included averages of 12.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. These achievements garnered him second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from the Associated Press and first team All-SEC accolades as selected by conference coaches. Over his 71-game collegiate tenure, Mills accumulated 699 rebounds (averaging 9.4 per game) and scored 664 points (also averaging 9.4 per game).
Post-Kentucky
Although chosen in the 18th round as the 92nd overall pick by the Syracuse Nationals during the 1960 NBA draft, Mills did not appear in any NBA matches.