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The Kentucky Colonels were an American professional basketball team based in Louisville, Kentucky. They competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky Colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history.[1] However, the team did not join the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The downtown Louisville Convention Center (now known as The Gardens) was the Colonels' venue for their first three seasons before moving to Freedom Hall for the remaining seasons, beginning with the 1970–71 schedule.

Key Information

The Kentucky Colonels and the Indiana Pacers were the only ABA teams to play for the entire duration of the league without moving, changing team names, or folding. The Colonels were also the only major league franchise in Kentucky since the Louisville Breckenridges left the National Football League in 1923.

Overview and background

[edit]

The Louisville-based Colonels started their time in the ABA. They were known for their "mascot" Ziggy, a prize-winning Brussels Griffon dog that was owned by original team owners Joe and Mamie Gregory, daughter of former U.S. Senator Robert R. Reynolds

They were equally famous for publicity stunts. In 1968, the team signed Penny Ann Early, the first licensed female horse racing jockey. In a game on November 27, 1968, Early inbounded the ball to Bobby Rascoe, making her the only woman to ever play in the ABA or NBA. A timeout was immediately called, and she was taken out of the game.[2]

The team's biggest rival was the Indiana Pacers, reflecting their states' prominent college basketball programs. The two teams played in the same Eastern Division for the first three seasons before Indiana was reassigned to the Western. It was referred to in some circles as the "I-65 Series", referring to the Interstate that connected the two states; the two met five times in the playoffs, with each being the most common opponent played in the postseason.[3]

In 1970, the team was sold to a group led by Wendell Cherry and future Governor of Kentucky John Y. Brown Jr., who appointed Mike Storen as general manager.[4] Storen fired Gene Rhodes, who had worked as the head coach since the early games of the 1967–68 season, saying Rhodes "is not in the best long-term interest of the team".[5] In that year, the team signed another Wildcat star in All-American Dan Issel. They also dropped the chartreuse uniforms in favor of a blue and white scheme similar to that of the Wildcats. Another abnormality to the Colonels uniform change was that the players' last names on the back had only the first letter capitalized, as opposed to all capital letters, which are almost universally featured on the back of nearly every professional or collegiate basketball uniform where names are featured on the back. Issel's signing helped the Colonels become well known as a legitimate basketball team. Despite an average record in the regular season, they made a serious run at the 1971 ABA championship. They fell just short, however, and lost to the Utah Stars in seven games.

They proved to be even better in 1971, with the signing of Artis Gilmore with a ten-year deal of $1.5 million that saw him receive $150,000 a year for ten years with a $50,000 bonus and a Dolgoff Plan that would pay him $40,000 a year for 20 years starting in 1981.[6] Gilmore's signing would help make the Colonels a legitimate powerhouse for years to come. The Colonels won 68 games in his rookie campaign under coach Joe Mullaney; their record turned out to be best in the league's entire history. Yet, in the playoffs, they were upset by the New York Nets in the first round. Kentucky recovered and made another championship run during the 1972–73 playoffs and faced the Indiana Pacers in the third rendition of the "I-65 Series". In a physical series that went the maximum seven games, the Pacers defeated the Colonels in Kentucky to win the championship.[7]

After the season, the franchise was nearly moved out-of-state to Cincinnati when a group headed by Bill DeWitt bought it. However, spurred by his family (most notably John Y. Brown III), Brown Jr., who owned Kentucky Fried Chicken for years, swooped in to buy the team and have it stay in Kentucky. He also stated that his wife Ellie was distinctly a co-owner with him. In fact, several women would be hired to serve on the board for the team, which helped significantly with tickets. Brown helped increase interest in the team, and looked to improve its on-court performance by hiring popular ABA coach Babe McCarthy. But after they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Nets, Brown gave McCarthy his walking papers.

For the 1974–75 season, Brown hired Hubie Brown (no relation), a former NBA assistant coach, to give them that championship. Unlike the previous year, the Colonels would not be denied. After a torrid finish to the regular season, which saw them win 23 of 26 games, they ripped through the playoffs, and beat their nemesis, the Indiana Pacers, in a dominant 4 games to 1 victory to win the 1975 ABA championship. Gilmore scored 28 points and grabbed an amazing 31 rebounds in the final game. That same season the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship. Brown Jr. offered the NBA champs a million dollars to play a one-game world championship. The Warriors and the NBA refused.

The celebration of the 1975 season ended when Brown Jr. dealt Issel to the ABA's new Baltimore Claws franchise (which folded after a few preseason exhibition games, never taking the floor in the regular season) for financial reasons. They acquired all-star Caldwell Jones to replace him, but he never gelled with the team. Jones was dealt mid-season for young Maurice Lucas. On the eve of the postseason, Ellie Brown announced on April 6, 1975, that the team would be sold for $1.5 million to a local syndicate headed by J. Bruce Miller, a Louisville attorney, provided that he would raise $500,000 by June 15 and also assume a five-year debt of $1 million. The Browns were reported to have lost $500,000 in operating the team in the championship 1974–75 season.[8] The Colonels won the first round series against Indiana and reached the league semifinal against the regular season leader Denver Nuggets, even forcing a Game 7 after winning Game 6 in double-overtime. Denver won Game 7 in what ended up being the last game of the franchise.

Kentucky was one of the league's strongest teams, both on and off the court. It boasted a talented roster and had one of its best fan bases. However, during merger talks with the NBA, the older league's Chicago Bulls objected to the Colonels being part of the merger. They owned the NBA rights to Artis Gilmore, and desperately wanted him on their roster, even at the expense of accepting the geographically much closer Pacers in their place. As a result, Brown Jr. was forced to fold the Colonels. Brown would indeed get an NBA franchise: he purchased the Buffalo Braves in 1976, then traded it for the Boston Celtics two years later.

Colonels players were distributed to other teams in a dispersal draft, with Gilmore going to Chicago. Maurice Lucas went on to be an all-star for the Portland Trail Blazers and Louie Dampier, who ended up being the all-time leader in points and assists, ended his career as a sixth man for the San Antonio Spurs. Coach Hubie Brown went on to coach the Atlanta Hawks for five seasons after the merger before being fired.

The Colonels won 448 games in the ABA, more than any other team or franchise. The Colonels' overall regular season record was 448–296; their .602 winning percentage is better than that of any ABA franchise except for the Minnesota Muskies, who only played one season. (If the Utah Stars' statistics are counted on their own, excluding their seasons as the Anaheim Amigos and the Los Angeles Stars, that team's winning percentage, .608, is slightly better than the Colonels'. The Colonels' winning percentage during the Utah Stars ABA existence was 65%.)

The Colonels' playoff record was 55–46 (.545). Only the Indiana Pacers won more ABA playoff games (69).

Year-by-year results

[edit]

1967–1968

[edit]

On March 6, 1967, the American Basketball Association awarded the franchise that became the Kentucky Colonels to Don Regan for $30,000. Later that year the franchise was bought by Joseph Gregory, Mamie Gregory and William C. Boone.[9]

John Givens was named as the first coach of the Colonels.

The Colonels draft picks were used on UK standout Louie Dampier, who signed with the Colonels; Western Kentucky University standout Clem Haskins, who signed with the NBA's Chicago Bulls; Bob Verga, who signed with Dallas, and Randy Mahaffey, who signed with the Colonels. The team also signed Darel Carrier (WKU) and Jim "Goose" Ligon (from Kokomo, Indiana). The Colonels' 1967–68 roster was rounded out with Kendall Rhine (Rice University), Stew Johnson (Murray State), Rubin Russell, Bill Bradley (Tennessee Tech), Cotton Nash (UK), Bobby Rascoe (WKU), Howard Bayne (Tennessee), Orbie Bowling (Tennessee) and Tommy Woods.

The Colonels played their home games at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (Freedom Hall) and at the Louisville Convention Center (now Louisville Gardens). The team only won 5 of their first 17 games, leading to Givens being fired as coach. He was replaced by Gene Rhodes. In November, Stew Johnson was traded to the New Jersey Americans for Jim Caldwell. Darel Carrier, Randy Mahaffey and Louie Dampier played in the ABA All Star game but the team finished with a record of 36 wins and 42 losses, tying New Jersey for fourth place in the Eastern Division. For the season the Colonels averaged 3,225 fans per game.

The Colonels and Americans scheduled a one-game playoff game to determine who would get the playoff bid slated for the Eastern Division's fourth place team. The game was scheduled at the Long Island Arena, as New Jersey's Teaneck Armory was unavailable, but the facility was in such poor condition that the game could not be played, and the Colonels won by forfeit. The Colonels then advanced to the Eastern Division semifinals where they lost to the Minnesota Muskies 3 games to 2.

1968–1969

[edit]

Among the Colonels' draft picks was University of Louisville star Wes Unseld, who opted to take a higher paying deal with the NBA's Baltimore franchise. The Colonels also drafted Manny Leaks and Gene Moore, who signed with the team. Sam Smith was acquired from Minnesota and then Randy Mahaffey and Manny Leaks were traded to the New York Nets for Oliver Darden and Andy Anderson.

The Colonels hosted the 1969 ABA All-Star Game in Louisville. Kentucky coach Gene Rhodes was the head coach for the East team, which lost to the West 133–127. Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier repeated as ABA All Stars and were joined by Kentucky's Jim "Goose" Ligon.

During this season the Colonels fielded the first ever female professional basketball player when jockey Penny Ann Early joined the team for pregame warmups and appeared briefly during a game.

The Colonels finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 42–36 record. Their average home attendance was 4,157.

In the Eastern Division semifinals the Colonels lost a tight series to their rival the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 3.

1969–1970

[edit]

The Colonels used their draft picks to select Bob Dandridge, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA and Herm Gilliam, who signed with the NBA's Cincinnati franchise. Bud Olsen, former Kentucky Wesleyan College star George Tinsley, future Kentucky Wesleyan coach Wayne Chapman and former University of Kentucky star Tommy Kron were added to the roster.

In April 1969 the Colonels were bought by a group of Louisville investors that included H. Wendell Cherry, Bill DeWitt, J. David Grissom, Stuart P. Jay, David A. Jones, John Y. Brown, Jr. and Mike Storen. Storen had previously been the president and general manager of the Indiana Pacers. The group then hired former University of Kentucky star Alex Groza as the team's business manager.

Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier again appeared in the ABA All Star Game and were joined by Gene Moore.

The Colonels finished the season with a record of 45–39 which was good for second place in the Eastern Division.

The Colonels defeated the New York Nets 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division semifinals but lost in the Eastern Division finals to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 1.

1970–1971

[edit]
In his rookie season, Dan Issel led the ABA in scoring with 29.9 points per game, and also averaged 13.2 rebounds per game.

In July the Colonels traded Jim "Goose" Ligon, Gene Moore and Bud Olsen to Dallas for Cincy Powell. They also signed University of Kentucky star Dan Issel. Issel was given a 10-year contract worth $1.4 million. The Colonels also traded a draft pick to the New York Nets for Walt Simon. Mike Pratt joined the Colonels' roster for the season.

The Colonels began the regular season with a 10–5 record, resulting in coach Gene Rhodes being fired. Rhodes was briefly replaced by Alex Groza, who won both games he coached. Groza was quickly replaced as coach by Frank Ramsey, the former star for the University of Kentucky and the Boston Celtics.

Kentucky's Dan Issel and Cincy Powell played in the ABA All-Star Game. Issel was named Co-Rookie of the Year, along with Charlie Scott of the Virginia Squires.

The Colonels finished the regular season with a record of 44–40 and in second place in the Eastern Division. Their average home attendance for the season was 7,375. Beginning with this season the Colonels moved their home games from the Louisville Convention Center (now Louisville Gardens) to Freedom Hall.

The Colonels defeated The Floridians 4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Virginia Squires 4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division finals. Facing the Utah Stars in the ABA championship, the Colonels and Stars each won three games before Utah pulled out Game 7 at home in front of an ABA record crowd. The Colonels finished as the league's runner up.

1971–1972

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The Colonels' draft picks included Artis Gilmore, John Roche and Mike Gale, who all signed with Kentucky, and Fred Brown and Larry Steele, who signed with the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA, respectively. The Colonels then sold Roche to the New York Nets. Gilmore, like Issel, signed a contract for 10 years and $1.5 million. Joe Mullaney was named coach of the Colonels.

On September 22, 1971, the Colonels played in the second ever ABA vs. NBA preseason exhibition game. 13,821 fans watched the Colonels defeat the Baltimore Bullets 111–85 in Freedom Hall. It was the ABA's first win against the NBA, as the ABA's Dallas Chaparrals had lost to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks 106–103 the night before in the first ever matchup between the two leagues.

On October 8, 1971, the Colonels hosted the Milwaukee Bucks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at Freedom Hall in front of over 18,000 fans. Dan Issel scored 34 points and Artis Gilmore posted 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. However, Abdul-Jabbar had 30 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and the Bucks edged the Colonels, 99–93. The very next night the Colonels hosted the New York Knicks in Freedom Hall. The Knicks won, 112–100, before 12,238 fans.

The Colonels had a terrific regular season. Mullaney coached in the ABA All Star Game, heading up the East team which won 142–115. Dan Issel, Louie Dampier and Artis Gilmore each played in the All Star Game for the East team; Issel was the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore ended up as the league's Most Valuable Player at the end of the season and was also the league's Rookie of the Year. Gilmore's impressive statistics included leading the league with 3,666 minutes in play, a field goal percentage of 59.8% and an average of 17.8 rebounds per game. Gilmore and Issel were both on the All-ABA First Team.

Kentucky finished the season with the best record ever posted in ABA play,[10] with 68 wins and 16 losses, a winning percentage of .810. This secured the Colonels' first ever first-place finish in the Eastern Division. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,811.

Kentucky's remarkable season came to a surprising end when the Colonels lost in the Eastern Division semifinals to the New York Nets, 4 games to 2.

1972–1973

[edit]

Prior to the season the Colonels traded Cincy Powell to the Utah Stars for a draft pick and cash, and bought Rick Mount from the Indiana Pacers for $250,000. Wendell Ladner joined the Colonels' roster for the season.

In preseason play, on September 23, 1972, the Colonels hosted the NBA's Atlanta Hawks for an exhibition game in Frankfort. Julius Erving played for the Hawks, posting 28 points and 18 rebounds in 42 minutes. The Hawks prevailed, 112–99. On September 30, 1972, the Colonels traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for an exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns. The Colonels won, 120–118. On October 1, 1972, the Milwaukee Bucks returned to Freedom Hall. Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar each scored 20 points as the Bucks beat the Colonels 131–100. On October 6, 1972, the Phoenix Suns played the Colonels at Freedom Hall. The Suns won, 103–91. The next night the Colonels lost a close game to the Baltimore Bullets, 95–93.

Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game. Gilmore was again First Team All-ABA and posted a 55.9% field goal percentage and averaged 17.6 rebounds per game. Issel led the league in minutes played with 3,531.

The Colonels finished in second place in the Eastern Division with a record of 56 wins and 28 losses. Their average home attendance was 7,113.

The Colonels beat the Virginia Squires 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division Semifinals and beat the Carolina Cougars 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels then lost a very close ABA Championship Series to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 3.

1973–1974

[edit]

Prior to the Colonels' 1973–74 season the Colonels drafted M. L. Carr and Ron Behagen; Carr stayed in college and Behagen signed with the NBA's Kansas City-Omaha Kings. The Colonels also selected Ernie DiGregorio in a special circumstance draft but he signed with the NBA's Buffalo Braves.

In July 1973 the franchise was bought by a group headed by John Y. Brown, Jr. and his wife Ellie Brown. Ellie Brown was later named Chairman of the Board of the team; the board itself was made up of ten women. Legendary former University of Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp was named as Vice President of the Board. Mike Storen left the team; he later surfaced with the ABA's Memphis franchise. Former head coach Gene Rhodes became general manager of the team.

Head coach Joe Mullaney departed to become head coach of the Utah Stars. Mullaney was succeeded by Babe McCarthy.

In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels defeated the Houston Rockets 110–102 at Freedom Hall on September 21, 1973, and defeated the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 110–99 the following night.

In January 1974 the Colonels traded Jim O'Brien and a first round draft pick to the San Diego Conquistadors for Red Robbins and Chuck Williams. That same month Kentucky dealt Rick Mount to the Utah Stars for a draft pick and cash, and then sent Mike Gale and Wendell Ladner to the New York Nets for former Colonel John Roche.

Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All-Star Game, and Babe McCarthy coached the East team. Gilmore was again named the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore again posted remarkable statistics including 3,502 minutes played (tops in the league) and 18.3 rebounds per game (Gilmore grabbed 40 rebounds in one game against the New York Nets that season). Louie Dampier posted a league high 38.7% percentage in three-point shots. Babe McCarthy and his Colonels predecessor Joe Mullaney were named ABA Co-Coaches of the Year.

The Colonels posted a regular season record of 53 wins and 31 losses, clinching second place in the Eastern Division. Kentucky's average home attendance for the season was 8,201.

In the playoffs Kentucky defeated the Carolina Cougars 4 games to none in the Eastern Division semifinals but then lost the Eastern Division finals to the New York Nets 4 games to none. Despite being named ABA Coach of the Year, Babe McCarthy was fired at the end of the season.

1974–1975

[edit]

The Colonels took Jim Price, Greg Smith, Rowland Garrett, Herm Gilliam and Larry Steele in a draft of NBA players, bought Ted McClain from the Carolina Cougars, signed Wil Jones, and traded a draft pick and cash to the San Antonio Spurs for Bird Averitt. The Colonels also sent Al Eberhard to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Marv Roberts and sent Red Robbins to the Virginia Squires for cash. John Roche was sold to the Utah Stars in the midst of the season. Gene Littles was added to the Colonels roster for the season.

Hubie Brown was named the new head coach of the Colonels.

In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels lost a game in Lincoln, Nebraska to the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 102–91 on September 29, 1974; beat the Washington Bullets 118–95 at Freedom Hall on October 1, 1974; lost by one point on the road to the Houston Rockets on October 5, 1974, 96–95; beat the Detroit Pistons 109–100 at Freedom Hall on October 8, 1974, and on October 12, 1974, defeated the Chicago Bulls at Freedom Hall 93–75.

Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All Star Game. Gilmore again was First Team All ABA and led the league with 3,493 minutes played.

The Colonels claimed first place in the Eastern Division with a record of 58 wins and 26 losses, but tied with the New York Nets for the division crown. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,727.

The Colonels began the playoffs with a one-game matchup against the New York Nets to determine who would be first place in the Eastern Division. The Colonels won that game in Louisville 108–99. The Colonels then defeated the Memphis Sounds 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Spirits of St. Louis 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels met their rivals the Indiana Pacers for the ABA Championship and the Colonels prevailed, 4 games to 1, winning their first ABA Championship.[11]

Colonels owner John Y. Brown offered $1 million to the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors to play a world title game, following the tradition of previous ABA champions that had offered to play the NBA champion.[12] The NBA and Golden State refused. Hubie Brown went on to coach many teams in the NBA but has always maintained (including in his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction) that the 1974–75 Colonels were the best team he coached.[13][14]

1975–1976

[edit]

Prior to the season the Colonels and the ABA's commissioner, Dave DeBusschere, challenged the NBA to have its champion, the Golden State Warriors, face the Colonels in a championship series, the winner of which would get $1 million. The NBA declined. Interest in ABA vs. NBA play extended beyond the two leagues' management. In 1976, CBS sought to establish a postseason playoff between the ABA and NBA, and to win the rights to broadcast those games.[15]

To the dismay of Colonels fans and players, owner John Y. Brown, Jr. dealt star Dan Issel to the Baltimore Claws prior to the season for $500,000; the cash was not forthcoming from the struggling Baltimore franchise and Issel ended up with the Denver Nuggets shortly before the Claws were shut down by the league.

Gene Rhodes was named vice president of operations and David Vance was named general manager for the team.

In preseason play the Colonels defeated the Chicago Bulls, 95–86, at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati on October 1, 1975; lost to the New York Knicks in Landover, Maryland at the Capital Centre, 107–102, on October 4, 1975; defeated the Detroit Pistons 114–113 on October 5, 1975, in Cincinnati; defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 96–91 in Freedom Hall on October 10, 1975; lost an overtime game to the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on October 12, 1975, 115–107; defeated the Buffalo Braves, 120–116, in Freedom Hall on October 14, 1975; defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112–110 in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 17, 1975; and won another ABA vs. NBA exhibition on October 19, 1975, with a 121–111 victory over the Washington Bullets in Lexington, Kentucky. The game against the Bullets was the penultimate ABA vs. NBA contest; two nights later in the final ABA vs. NBA matchup the Utah Stars defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 106–101.

The prior year, the NBA declined the ABA champion Colonels' challenge against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for a $1 million payout. However, the two teams met on October 8, 1975, at Freedom Hall. The Colonels won the matchup of the league champions, 93–90.

The Colonels finished the 1975–76 preseason with a record of 7–2 against NBA teams. The Colonels, like the ABA as a whole, had a winning overall record against the NBA over the course of their existence.

Shortly after the regular season began the San Diego Sails folded and the Colonels picked up Caldwell Jones from their roster. Kentucky then traded Jones to the Spirits of St. Louis for Maurice Lucas. The Colonels also traded Marv Roberts to the Virginia Squires during the season in exchange for Johnny Neumann and Jan van Breda Kolff. Another move in the middle of the season sent Ted McClain to the New York Nets in exchange for $150,000. Allen Murphy, Jimmy Dan Connor, Johnny Neumann, Jimmy Baker, Kevin Joyce and Jim McDaniels joined the Colonels' roster for the 1975–76 season.

Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game and once again was named First Team All ABA. Dampier, after seven appearances in that game, was not chosen.

The Colonels finished in fourth place in the regular season with a record of 46–38. Their average home attendance was 6,935.

The Colonels defeated their rivals, the Indiana Pacers, 2 games to 1 in the first round of the playoffs. In the league semifinals, the Colonels and the Denver Nuggets each won three games apiece before Denver claimed Game 7 133–110 at Denver on April 28, 1976. It was the Kentucky Colonels' final game.

Aftermath

[edit]

The ABA had entered the 1975–1976 preseason with ten teams. After three preseason games, the Baltimore Claws were shut down by the league due to financial problems and unpaid bills. The San Diego Sails and the Utah Stars each folded shortly after the season began, the Sails after 11 games and the Stars after 16. The ABA was reduced to seven teams for the remainder of the season. Shortly after the regular season ended, the Virginia Squires were forced to fold because they could not meet a league-mandated financial assessment. The six remaining ABA teams began negotiations for the eventual ABA–NBA merger. According to Jim Bukata of the ABA, the NBA opposed Kentucky joining the league, and Bill Wirtz of the Chicago Bulls opposed Kentucky joining because Chicago wanted to acquire Kentucky's Artis Gilmore in a dispersal draft.[16] In the end, the Colonels were not among the four teams the NBA agreed to take in.

On July 17, 1976, the Kentucky Colonels ceased to exist as John Y. Brown, Jr. agreed to fold the Colonels in exchange for $3 million. Brown used the money to purchase the Buffalo Braves of the NBA. Brown's intent was to use the purchase as a backdoor to revive the Colonels by relocating the Braves to Louisville.[17] Unable to find a willing co-owner for the venture, Brown engineered a franchise swap to buy the Boston Celtics (which he sold off in 1979) while the Braves franchise eventually became the Los Angeles Clippers.[17]

The Colonels players were put into a dispersal draft. The Chicago Bulls took Artis Gilmore for $1.1 million as they had wished. The Portland Trail Blazers took Maurice Lucas for $300,000. The Buffalo Braves took Bird Averitt for $125,000. The Indiana Pacers took Wil Jones for $50,000. The New York Nets took Jan Van Breda Kolff for $60,000. The San Antonio Spurs took Louie Dampier for $20,000.

In contrast to Brown receiving $3 million in cash for the Colonels, the Spirits of St. Louis' owners received $2.2 million in cash along with a 1/7 share of each of the four remaining teams' television income in perpetuity. That deal netted the Spirits ownership about $300 million until 2014, when the league decided to buy out most of the deal for $500 million.[17]

Basketball Hall of Famers

[edit]
Kentucky Colonels Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
44 Dan Issel C/F 1970–1975 1993
53 Artis Gilmore C 1971–1976 2011
10 Louie Dampier G 1967–1976 2015
Coaches
Frank Ramsey 1 Head coach 1970–1971 1982
Hubie Brown 2 Head coach 1974–1976 2005

Notes:

  • 1 Inducted as a player. Never played for the team.
  • 2 Inducted as a contributor.

Season-by-season

[edit]
ABA champions ABA finalists Division champions Playoff berth
Season League Division Finish W L Win% Playoffs Awards Coach
Kentucky Colonels
1967–68 ABA Eastern 4th 36 42 .462 Lost Division Semifinals (Muskies) 2–3 — John Givens (5–12)
Gene Rhodes (31–30)
1968–69 ABA Eastern 3rd 42 36 .538 Lost Division Semifinals (Pacers) 3–4 — Gene Rhodes
1969–70 ABA Eastern 2nd 45 39 .536 Won Division Semifinals (Nets) 4–1
Lost Division Finals (Pacers) 1–4 		— Gene Rhodes
1970–71 ABA Eastern 2nd 44 40 .524 Won Division Semifinals (Floridians) 4–2
Won Division Finals (Squires) 4–2
Lost ABA Finals (Stars) 3–4 		Dan Issel (ROY) Gene Rhodes (10–5)
Alex Groza (2–0)
Frank Ramsey (32–35)
1971–72 ABA Eastern 1st 68 16 .810 Lost Division Semifinals (Nets) 2–4 Dan Issel (ASG MVP)
Artis Gilmore (ABA MVP)
Artis Gilmore (ROY) 		Joe Mullaney
1972–73 ABA Eastern 2nd 56 28 .667 Won Division Semifinals (Squires) 4–1
Won Division Finals (Cougars) 4–3
Lost ABA Finals (Pacers) 3–4 		— Joe Mullaney
1973–74 ABA Eastern 2nd 53 31 .631 Won Division Semifinals (Cougars) 4–0
Lost Division Finals (Nets) 0–4 		Artis Gilmore (ASG MVP)
Babe McCarthy (ABA COY) 		Babe McCarthy
1974–75 ABA Eastern 1st[a] 58 26 .690 Won Division Semifinals (Sounds) 4–0
Won Division Finals (Spirits) 4–1
Won ABA Finals (Pacers) 4–1 		Artis Gilmore (Playoffs MVP) Hubie Brown
1975–76 ABA —[b] 4th 46 38 .548 Won First Round (Pacers) 2–1
Lost ABA Semifinals (Nuggets) 3–4 		— Hubie Brown
Statistic Wins Losses Win%
Regular season record 448 296 .602
Postseason record 55 43 .561
Regular and postseason record 503 339 .597

Broadcast media

[edit]

Colonels games were broadcast throughout their history on WHAS Radio, the Louisville market's top-rated station at the time and a 50,000-watt clear-channel station, which meant that Colonels broadcasts could be heard over much of the continental United States at night. Van Vance was the play-by-play announcer for nearly all of the games in the franchise's history, with Cawood Ledford (better known as the longtime voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats) behind the microphone as well, sometimes as color analyst beside Vance.

The Colonels had some games broadcast on various local television stations, but were usually only seen on TV during the ABA network games.

See also

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Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kentucky Colonels

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Kentucky Colonels were an American professional basketball team based in . A charter member of the (ABA), the team played all nine seasons of the league's existence from 1967 to 1976. With a regular-season record of 448–296 (.602 )—the best in ABA history—the Colonels qualified for the every year. They won the 1975 , defeating the 4–1 in the Finals under head coach . Following the ABA–NBA merger in 1976, the franchise was not selected for inclusion in the NBA and subsequently folded, with its players distributed via a dispersal draft. Notable players included Hall of Famers Louie Dampier, Dan Issel, and Artis Gilmore.

History

Establishment and early ownership

The Kentucky Colonels were established as one of the original franchises of the American Basketball Association (ABA) on March 6, 1967, when the league awarded the team to Louisville for a fee of $30,000. The franchise was quickly purchased by a syndicate of local investors led by Joseph E. Gregory—a prominent Louisville tobacco executive known as Joe Gregory—along with his wife Mamie Gregory and businessman William C. Boone. This group aimed to bring professional basketball to Kentucky, selecting the name "Colonels" to evoke the state's longstanding tradition of honorary Kentucky Colonels, a ceremonial title dating back to the 18th century and symbolizing Southern heritage and community leadership. The Colonels launched their inaugural season in October 1967 at the , with some games at the , drawing an average attendance of about 3,200 fans amid the novelty of the new league. Under head coach John Givens, who was replaced mid-season by Gene Rhodes after a 5-12 start, the team compiled a 36-42 record, finishing fourth in the ABA's Eastern Division and qualifying for the playoffs, where they lost to the Minnesota Muskies in five games. Key contributors included guard , who averaged 20.7 points per game and earned honors, forward Darel Carrier with 22.9 points per game, and power forward Randy Mahaffey, a 1967 ABA draftee from Clemson who provided 13.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a . The roster was bolstered by other early acquisitions like forward Goose Ligon for rebounding support. Despite the on-court promise, the early years were marked by financial instability common to the fledgling ABA, with low revenues straining the original ownership group. By 1969, ongoing losses prompted the sale of the franchise on April 15 to a new Louisville-based headed by real estate developer H. Wendell Cherry, which included investors , Stuart Jay, David Jones, John Y. Brown Jr., and league executive ; this transition helped stabilize the team and set the stage for future growth under Brown's eventual sole ownership.

Mid-era developments and ownership changes

In 1969, the Kentucky Colonels franchise underwent a significant ownership change when it was purchased by a group of Louisville investors led by H. Wendell Cherry, which included prominent businessman , , Stuart Jay, David Jones, and . This acquisition marked a turning point for the team, which had faced early financial difficulties following its founding in 1967, by injecting capital and enhancing marketing strategies to boost attendance and visibility in the competitive (ABA). The new ownership stabilized operations and set the stage for on-court improvements, culminating in John Y. Brown and his wife Ellie Brown acquiring full control in July 1973. Under head coach Gene Rhodes, the Colonels achieved their first playoff appearance in the 1969–70 season, finishing with a 45–39 record and securing second place in the ABA Eastern Division. This success reflected the team's growing competitiveness, bolstered by foundational players like guard , who had joined the franchise at its inception in 1967 after being passed over in the and signing directly with the ABA expansion team. Key roster enhancements followed, including the selection of forward as the first overall pick in the 1970 ABA Draft, where he quickly emerged as a scoring force with his pedigree. In 1971, the team further strengthened its frontcourt by signing center to a landmark 10-year, $1.5 million contract, outbidding NBA suitors and adding a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker to the lineup. These acquisitions propelled the Colonels to elite status in the early . In the 1971–72 season, under head coach Joe Mullaney, the team captured the ABA Eastern Division title with a league-best 68–16 record, showcasing a balanced offense led by Issel and Gilmore alongside Dampier's sharpshooting. The following years sustained this momentum, with Mullaney guiding the team to second place and strong playoff performances in 1972–73 (56–28 record), despite intense rivalry matchups against the neighboring along Interstate 65. The Pacers-Colonels clashes often featured high-stakes drama, as the two teams met frequently in regular-season and playoff battles, heightening regional tensions in the ABA's Eastern Division. Babe McCarthy then took over as coach for the 1973–74 season. To broaden fan appeal, particularly in a state dominated by basketball fandom, the Colonels switched their uniform colors from chartreuse green and white to and white starting in the 1970–71 season, a scheme reminiscent of the Wildcats' iconic look. This rebranding, later accented with red trim in 1974, aligned the professional team more closely with local traditions and contributed to rising attendance at .

Final seasons and ABA-NBA merger

In 1974, following the 1973–74 season (53–31 record), Kentucky Colonels owner hired , a former assistant coach with the , to serve as . Under Brown's guidance, the team revamped its offensive strategy, leading to a dominant 1974–75 regular season with a 58–26 record and the Eastern Division title. This performance culminated in the Colonels' first and only ABA championship, defeating the 4–1 in the Finals. The 1975–76 season saw the Colonels post a 46–38 record, securing fourth place in the Eastern Division despite trading star forward to the midseason. They advanced past the first round by beating the Pacers 4–2 but were eliminated in the division semifinals by the in six games. Attendance at remained a persistent challenge, averaging approximately 8,000 fans per game amid growing financial pressures on the franchise. As the ABA faced financial instability, merger talks with the NBA intensified, culminating in an agreement announced on June 17, 1976, to absorb four ABA teams into the NBA starting in the 1976–77 season. The Kentucky Colonels were excluded primarily due to opposition from existing NBA owners, including the , who cited antitrust concerns over market proximity to teams like the Pacers and cited the high entry fee of around $3.2 million per team. Despite this, Brown negotiated a $3.3 million from the remaining ABA owners to dissolve the franchise. The team's assets were dispersed through a special NBA in June 1976, alongside players from the folded , allowing NBA teams to select talent at reduced costs; notable Colonels like center later signed as a with the Bulls after a holdout, while others such as and Randy Smith were selected in the draft. The franchise was officially dissolved on July 17, 1976. profited from the buyout, using the proceeds to purchase the NBA's shortly thereafter, but Louisville was left without a major professional basketball team for decades.

Identity and facilities

Name, colors, and branding

The name "" for the ABA franchise was selected in 1967 by its founding owners, drawing directly from the longstanding honorary title, a prestigious civilian honor first commissioned around 1813 by Governor to recognize distinguished service and embodying Southern pride and Kentucky's frontier heritage. This choice evoked local tradition and state identity, distinguishing the team from more generic city-based names like "" and aligning with Kentucky's cultural symbolism, including references to the historic baseball club. The team's initial colors from 1967 to 1970 were chartreuse green and white, a bold palette inspired by the ABA's early emphasis on flashy, innovative to differentiate from the NBA. These hues were often criticized for their garish appearance, contributing to an unconventional visual identity that prioritized spectacle over subtlety. In 1970, the Colonels underwent a significant , shifting to blue and white uniforms to align with the Wildcats' traditional colors, a move facilitated by the involvement of retired coach as a special assistant to ownership. This change enhanced fan identification and marketability in a basketball-passionate state, with red trim added by 1974 to create a red, white, and blue scheme through the 1976 season. The Colonels' logos and uniforms maintained a straightforward throughout their existence, featuring a primary in script lettering reading "Kentucky Colonels" and an early emblem depicting a stylized figure wearing a , often accompanied by a or hound dog named for added regional flavor. By the 1970s, the logo simplified to blue "KC" interlocking letters enclosing an ABA , with no major redesigns occurring; uniforms included home whites and road blues, occasionally accented with stars denoting division championships during successful seasons. Marketing efforts emphasized the team's ties to Kentucky heritage, leveraging promotions like the introduction of the Ziggy mascot and innovative stunts—such as the 1968 exhibition game featuring female player —to generate buzz and boost regional appeal among Louisville and statewide fans. These initiatives, including neutral-site games in nearby markets, helped cultivate loyalty by positioning the Colonels as a symbol of state pride amid the ABA's competitive landscape.

Home arenas and attendance

The Kentucky Colonels began their existence playing home games at the Louisville Convention Center, a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of approximately 5,900 seats, from the 1967–68 season through the 1969–70 season. This facility, now known as Louisville Gardens, hosted the team's early contests but was primarily designed for conventions and exhibitions rather than sports, leading to limitations in its suitability for basketball. In 1970, the Colonels relocated to the larger at the Kentucky Exposition Center, where they played through their final season in 1975–76. With a capacity of 18,000, the arena allowed for expanded crowds and higher-profile matchups, though it originally served as a multi-purpose venue for events like the , necessitating adaptations such as court configurations for . The move aligned with the team's growing competitiveness and enabled them to host playoff games in a more suitable environment. Attendance at the Louisville Convention Center started low, averaging 3,225 fans per game in 1967–68, rising slightly to 4,157 in 1968–69, and then falling to 3,834 in 1969–70, reflecting the novelty of professional in Louisville and the venue's constraints. Following the shift to , figures improved significantly, peaking at an average of 8,811 during the 1971–72 season amid strong on-court performance and contention. Overall, the Colonels drew an average of about 7,500 fans per home game across their nine seasons, with notable highs like 8,727 in the 1974–75 year, though dipped to 6,973 in 1975–76 amid uncertainty surrounding the ABA-NBA merger. Playoff crowds often exceeded 16,000, as seen in the 1975 ABA Finals clincher against the . Operational challenges for the Colonels included the ABA's flexible scheduling, which featured irregular gaps between games and required frequent travel by bus or commercial flights across a geographically dispersed league, complicating preparation and logistics. The team lacked a dedicated on-site facility at either venue, instead using off-site locations like Crawford Gym at the for workouts. Home games were supported by local broadcast partnerships, primarily with WHAS radio for play-by-play coverage throughout the franchise's , supplemented by occasional local television airings.

On-court performance

Regular season records

The Kentucky Colonels amassed a regular season record of 448 wins and 296 losses over their nine seasons in the from 1967 to 1976, yielding a .602 that ranked as the best in league history. This success included qualification for the in every season, resulting in nine straight postseason berths. The team competed exclusively in the Eastern Division, securing division championships in 1971–72 and 1974–75. Performance improved markedly after the 1970 ownership transition to John Y. Brown Jr. and Harry Cullman, who invested in talent acquisition and stability. This shift propelled the Colonels to their zenith in 1971–72 with a 68–16 mark, the highest win total and winning percentage (.810) ever recorded in the ABA during its nine-year existence. The following table summarizes the Colonels' regular season results by year, including win-loss record, divisional finish, head coach(es), and leading scorer (points per game).
SeasonRecordFinish (Eastern Division)Head Coach(es)Top Scorer (PPG)
1967–6836–424th of 5John Givens, Gene RhodesDarel Carrier (22.9)
1968–6942–363rd of 5Gene RhodesLouie Dampier (24.8)
1969–7045–392nd of 6Gene RhodesLouie Dampier (26.0)
1970–7144–402nd of 6Gene Rhodes, Alex Groza, Frank RamseyDan Issel (29.9)
1971–7268–161st of 6Joe MullaneyDan Issel (30.6)
1972–7356–282nd of 5Joe MullaneyDan Issel (27.3)
1973–7453–312nd of 5Babe McCarthyDan Issel (25.5)
1974–7558–261st of 5Hubie BrownArtis Gilmore (23.6)
1975–7646–384th of 4Hubie BrownArtis Gilmore (24.6)
In regular season play, holds the franchise records for points (13,726) and assists (4,044), while leads in rebounds (7,169).

Playoff history and 1975 championship

The Kentucky Colonels compiled an overall playoff record of 55–46 across their nine ABA seasons, second only to the among ABA teams in total playoff victories. The team qualified for the postseason every year, advancing to the league semifinals or better in six appearances, often powered by dominant performances from stars like and . Their postseason success highlighted a fierce regional rivalry with the , marked by multiple high-stakes series that intensified the competition between the neighboring franchises. Early playoff runs established the Colonels as contenders but were plagued by close defeats against the Pacers. In the 1973 ABA Finals, Kentucky advanced by defeating the 4–1 in the Eastern Division Semifinals and the 4–3 in the Eastern Division Finals, before falling to 4–3 in a grueling seven-game series. The Pacers clinched the title in Game 7 at with an 88–81 victory, capping a rivalry that saw the teams meet in pivotal matchups throughout the ABA era. Another notable series came in , when the Colonels, despite posting the ABA's best regular-season record of 68–16, were upset by the New York Nets 4–2 in the Eastern Division Semifinals. The Colonels' pinnacle arrived in the 1975 playoffs, where they captured their lone ABA championship under coach . As the Eastern Division's top seed with a 58–26 record, Kentucky dispatched the 2–0 in the Division Semifinals, limiting the expansion team to under 100 points per game. The Division Finals against the tested their resilience, with the series tied at 3–3 after a Spirits upset in Game 6; Kentucky then rallied in Game 7 for a 117–98 win at , overcoming a mid-series deficit through Brown's emphasis on defensive rotations and rebounding dominance. This comeback propelled them to the ABA Finals against the Pacers, where they prevailed 4–1, securing the title in Game 5 at home with a 110–105 victory before 16,622 fans. Artis Gilmore earned ABA Playoffs MVP honors, averaging 24.1 points and 17.6 rebounds per game across 15 postseason contests, including a Finals-clinching 28 points and 31 rebounds in Game 5. Dan Issel complemented him with 21.6 points per game in the , exploiting mismatches while the team's league-best defensive rating—holding opponents to 101.7 points per game in the regular season—proved decisive under Brown's schemes that prioritized paint protection and transition stops. The championship run avenged prior losses to , solidifying the Colonels' place in ABA lore amid the league's competitive final years.

Personnel

Head coaches

The Kentucky Colonels employed several head coaches during their nine seasons in the (ABA), with the later hires playing pivotal roles in the team's rise to contention and ultimate success. Joe Mullaney served as from the 1971-72 season through the 1972-73 season, compiling a regular-season record of 124 wins and 44 losses across those two campaigns. Under Mullaney, the Colonels achieved a franchise-best 68-16 mark in 1971-72, the highest in ABA history at the time, driven by the integration of rookie center and emphasizing fundamental discipline to build a competitive foundation. However, despite reaching the 1973 ABA Finals where they fell 4-3 to the , Mullaney was fired following the playoffs amid organizational shifts. Babe McCarthy took over as head coach for the 1973-74 season, leading the team to a 53-31 regular-season record and earning co-ABA Coach of the Year honors alongside coach Joe Mullaney. McCarthy's tenure brought playoff consistency, as the Colonels swept the 4-0 in the Eastern Division Semifinals before losing 4-0 to the New York Nets in the Division Finals; his approach favored an up-tempo offensive style suited to the ABA's fast-paced nature. Despite this success and securing the team's first division title contention, McCarthy was dismissed after one season due to internal conflicts, marking the end of his professional coaching career before his death in 1975. Hubie Brown assumed the head coaching role starting in the 1974-75 season and continued through the 1975-76 season until the ABA-NBA merger, posting a combined regular-season record of 104-64. Brown's tactical innovations, including zone defensive schemes and a focus on rebounding and transition play, propelled the Colonels to their lone ABA championship in 1975, defeating the 4-1 in after a 58-26 regular season that included winning 22 of their final 25 games. In the merger's final season, the team finished 46-38 and reached the Eastern Division Semifinals, but Brown transitioned to the NBA shortly thereafter, beginning a Hall of Fame career that included two NBA Coach of the Year awards with the (1978) and (2004). Earlier coaches included Gene Rhodes (1967–71, 128–110 record), who led the inaugural team, and interim figures like John Givens and Alex Groza in 1971.
CoachTenureRegular Season RecordPlayoff AppearancesNotable Achievements
Joe Mullaney1971-72 to 1972-73124-44 (.738)2 (1972 Division Finals loss; 1973 Finals loss)1971-72 ABA-best 68-16 record
Babe McCarthy1973-7453-31 (.631)1 (1974 Division Finals loss)ABA Co-Coach of the Year (1974)
1974-75 to 1975-76104-64 (.619)2 (1975 Champions; 1976 Semifinals loss)ABA Champions (1975)

Notable players and roster composition

The Kentucky Colonels' early rosters from 1967 to 1970 emphasized guard play, led by , who finished his ABA career as the league's all-time assists leader with 4,084. Other early standouts included Darel Carrier and Les Hunter. Forwards like Randy Mahaffey provided scoring support, averaging 13.7 points per game in the 1967–68 season, but the lineup was guard-heavy and relatively undersized, lacking a dominant center until later acquisitions. From 1970 to 1974, the team built around scoring forward , who shared ABA Rookie of the Year honors in 1971 after leading the league with 29.9 points per game as a rookie. Center joined in 1971 and earned ABA MVP awards for the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, pairing with Issel to form the formidable "Twin Towers" frontcourt that anchored the Colonels' defense and rebounding. Roster construction relied heavily on ABA territorial drafts and signings, exemplified by Gilmore's 1971 acquisition despite his No. 1 selection by the , allowing the Colonels to secure him directly via a landmark $1.5 million, 10-year contract. The 1974–75 championship core featured guard Mike Gale, who provided key bench contributions over his Colonels tenure (1971–74), averaging 7.2 points per game and earning ABA All-Defensive First Team honors in 1973 and 1974 for his perimeter defense. In the 1975–76 season, the team added center mid-season after the Sails folded, providing frontcourt depth. Across nine seasons, the Colonels' rosters featured players who amassed extensive professional careers, with at least four—Issel (1,315 games), Gilmore (1,423 games), (1,299 games), and Dampier (1,045 games)—surpassing 1,000 combined ABA-NBA games. The franchise's dissolution following the 1976 ABA-NBA merger precluded formal jersey retirements, though Dampier's No. 10 has been informally recognized in basketball tributes.

Legacy and honors

Impact on basketball and the merger

The Kentucky Colonels contributed significantly to the ABA's distinctive playing style, which emphasized high-tempo fast breaks and aggressive three-point shooting, elements that permeated the league and ultimately shaped the NBA. Players like exemplified this approach, frequently launching long-range shots during transitions, helping the team amass the ABA's highest career scoring and assists totals for a guard while showcasing the league's innovative offense. The ABA's adoption of the three-point line in the 1967-68 season, prominently featured by teams like the Colonels, pressured the NBA to incorporate it in 1979, influenced by the ABA's style following the 1976 merger and transforming professional by encouraging perimeter play and increasing scoring pace. As Louisville's sole major franchise during its existence, the Colonels elevated the city's culture, drawing consistent crowds and fostering a amid the ABA's instability. Their sustained success, including the league's best regular-season record of 68-16 in 1971-72, symbolized reliability in a volatile league, inspiring local high school and college programs like the Cardinals to thrive alongside them. The 1976 ABA-NBA merger excluded the Colonels despite their championship pedigree, preventing direct entry into the NBA and leading owner John Y. Brown to accept a $3 million payout from the merging ABA franchises to dissolve the team. This dispersal scattered key players via a special draft, with talents like joining the and others bolstering emerging NBA squads such as the and , thereby enhancing league-wide depth and competition. While the financial settlement provided short-term closure for ownership, it devastated fans by erasing the franchise and its vibrant identity. The merger's aftermath created a lasting void in Louisville's scene, with no major league team returning since the Colonels' folding, a gap spanning nearly five decades that has left the city reliant on college hoops. This absence has fueled ongoing for NBA expansion to Louisville, including a 2018 investment initiative led by former Colonel to revive the team and its name at venues like the . As of 2025, efforts continue through groups like NBA2LOU, positioning Louisville as a potential expansion candidate amid league discussions. Culturally, the Colonels endure as an ABA success story amid the league's financial chaos, chronicled in Terry Pluto's "Loose Balls," where owner Brown hailed the 1975 champions as the finest team he coached, underscoring their role in highlighting the ABA's flair and resilience. Documentaries and histories portray the franchise as a beacon of stability, with its exclusion amplifying narratives of lost opportunities in professional basketball's . The 50th anniversary of the 1975 was marked in May 2025 with retrospectives and events celebrating the team's legacy.

Hall of Fame inductees and recognitions

Several players and coaches associated with the Kentucky Colonels have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions during the team's ABA tenure. Dan Issel, who played forward-center for the Colonels from 1970 to 1975, was inducted in 1993 for his overall ABA and NBA career, during which he led the Colonels in scoring and rebounding while earning five ABA All-Star selections. Louie Dampier, a guard who spent his entire nine-year ABA career with the Colonels from 1967 to 1976, was inducted in 2007; he holds the ABA record for career points (13,726) and was a seven-time All-Star. Artis Gilmore, the center who anchored the Colonels' frontcourt from 1971 to 1976, joined the Hall in 2011, honored for his dominant ABA performances including six All-Star appearances and the 1972 MVP award while with the team. Coach Hubie Brown, who led the Colonels to their 1975 ABA championship from 1974 to 1976, was inducted in 2005 as a contributor, noted for his tactical innovations and development of young talent during his Louisville stint. The Colonels did not retire any player numbers during their existence, as the franchise disbanded after the 1976 ABA-NBA merger without establishing such honors. However, the team's legacy has been commemorated through ABA-wide events, including reunions that highlight the Colonels' stars like Issel, Dampier, and Gilmore as key figures in the league's history. The 1975 championship team is often regarded as one of the ABA's elite squads, featuring four future Hall of Famers and defeating the in five games for the title. Additional recognitions include a retrospective by The Courier-Journal marking the 45th anniversary of the 1975 championship, which described the Colonels as potentially the world's best team that year based on their roster depth and performance. The NBA has incorporated ABA legacies into broader celebrations, such as Hall of Fame inductions crediting Colonels-era achievements, though the franchise itself lacks a dedicated team entry in the Naismith Hall. Following the merger, Issel continued briefly with the , Gilmore was selected first overall in the ABA dispersal draft by the , and Dampier joined the , each extending their careers modestly in the NBA without replicating their ABA peaks. Despite individual honors, gaps persist in the team's recognition; the 1975 roster has not been inducted as a unit into any major hall of fame, prompting occasional discussions among fans and historians for collective acknowledgment of the squad.

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