Kentucky great Cotton Nash remembered as ‘a renaissance man and Wildcat legend’
“A renaissance man and Wildcat legend.”
“One of most popular Wildcats to ever play at UK.”
The death of Kentucky basketball great Cotton Nash at age 80 on Tuesday prompted many on social media to offer their memories of and condolences to the former Wildcats star and his family.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward from Lake Charles, La., Charles Francis Nash, 80, played for Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats from 1961-64, scoring 1,770 points and grabbing 962 rebounds. The three-time All-American was Kentucky’s all-time leading scorer when his UK career ended. Dan Issel (2,138 career points) subsequently left Kentucky in 1970 with the scoring record.
“As a three-sport competitor, Cotton Nash was one of the greatest all-around athletes ever to wear the Blue and White,” Mitch Barnhart, UK’s athletics director, said in a statement released by the school. “His accomplishments in basketball and baseball made him a rarity in American sports history. We are thankful for all he did for the University of Kentucky and our sympathies are with (wife) Julie and their family and friends.”
Here is a collection of tributes to Nash via Twitter:
Cotton Nash, a renaissance man and Wildcat legend pic.twitter.com/IYv8TFcBAB
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 23, 2023
A 3x All-American and a Kentucky legend.
Our hearts go out to the Nash family pic.twitter.com/d9TTT7edM7— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 23, 2023
RIP Cotton Nash. One of my first sports heroes also became a friend. Cotton was not only a 3 time All-American for @UKBasketbalI, he was also a star for @UKBaseball and played in the NBA, ABA and MLB. Thanks for the memories and friendship, Cotton. pic.twitter.com/BrI5xeWt1l
— Keith Madison (@KeithMadison32) May 24, 2023
Sad day for all in #BBN, losing UK great Cotton Nash. A three-time All-American who not only succeeded on the court, but the baseball diamond, as well.
Prayers to his family and friends! https://t.co/rcXjhhGdu7— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 23, 2023
First great @KentuckyMBB I saw in person 3X #AllAmerican Still #Top10ScoringList Played in both #NBA & #MLB Honored to have a friendship later in life No one threw a better Super Bowl Party Consummate Host. #RIP #CottonNash truly one of a kind pic.twitter.com/ZgKIjU8yyE
— Kenny Rice (@KennyRiceSports) May 23, 2023
RIP Cotton Nash. My dad played baseball with him while at UK and mom cheered for him as a UK basketball player. He is remembered as a class act. https://t.co/Bv2s0y9AEg
— Jennifer Scutchfield (@jenscutchfield) May 24, 2023
One of the most popular UK players ever. The Golden boy of his era. Superb athlete and have always heard great things about him. RIP Cotton. https://t.co/o55ufyp2BT
— gene abell (@geneabell) May 23, 2023
I grew up a few houses from the Nash's next to Ecton park & had to walk up his driveway and through his yard to get to the baseball field. He couldn't have been nicer. He even would occasionally throw batting practice to my brother &I when my dad's arm gave out. #PerfectGentleman
— satcheluk ️ (@satcheluk) May 23, 2023
So very sadden to hear that the great All-American Charles “Cotton” Nash passed away this morning. Nash, one of most popular Wildcats to ever play at UK, made Lexington his home after graduating. Always accommodating to fans wherever you met him. RIP, my friend. @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/PcOFbVZyUN
— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) May 23, 2023
Former UK great Cotton Nash has passed away at the age of 80.
He was one of the rock stars of UK Basketball and played with flair, while also being one of the best to ever do it in Lexington
God Bless the UK legend and his family— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 23, 2023
Sad news for the Big Blue Nation. RIP Cotton Nash. Prayers for his family. #BBN #WeAreUK
I had a chapter about him in my 2nd UK book (published in 1995). He was a good interview. pic.twitter.com/cZ2HkqWC3i— Jamie H. Vaught (@KySportsStyle) May 23, 2023
RIP COTTON NASH. One of the UK greats@UKAthletics
— JD Shelburne (@JDSHELBURNE) May 23, 2023
Cotton Nash, once a Kentucky basketball ‘rock star,’ dies at age 80
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