Denny Crum's legacy: Pervis Ellison, Kenny Payne and other top players he coached at UofL

Brooks Holton, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

Before Denny Crum was hired as the Louisville men's basketball coach in 1971, the program had produced only four first-round NBA draft picks dating back to 1950.

The Hall of Fame coach more than tripled that number during his 30-year tenure, with 13 former Cardinals going in the first round and 36 total drafted between 1972-97. Among the standouts are U of L's first No. 1 overall pick, Pervis Ellison, and six others selected in the top 10.

Crum retired in March of 2001 with a career 69.6% winning percentage (675-295). He died Tuesday at age 86, the university said in a statement.

"My thoughts go through all the lessons that he taught, not just to me, but every player he ever came in contact with," current Louisville head coach Kenny Payne, who won a national championship playing for Crum in 1986 before being selected with the 19th overall pick of the NBA draft three years later, said in a statement.

"Those lessons are still relevant today. We were so blessed to have him in our lives. He was a true treasure who gave so much to (the) university and the community."

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Here's a look at the first-round NBA draft picks whom Crum coached while at Louisville in chronological order:

Junior Bridgeman (1975)

David Thompson (33) and Ken Higgs (1) of the Denver Nuggets battled Milwaukee's Junior Bridgeman for possession of the basketball during a game in 1982.
David Thompson (33) and Ken Higgs (1) of the Denver Nuggets battled Milwaukee's Junior Bridgeman for possession of the basketball during a game in 1982.

Pick: Eighth overall

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Wesley Cox (1977)

Wesley Cox was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball and a third-team All-America selection by Parade Magazine in 1973 after averaging 19.5 points and 13 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he was a top reserve on Male High School's 1971 state championship squad. Cox went on to play at the University of Louisville and was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1977 NBA Draft. He played two seasons (1977-79) in the NBA. Dec. 6, 1975.

Pick: 18th overall

Team: Golden State Warriors

Darrell Griffith (1980)

Louisville's Darrell Griffith flashes number one sign as he's hoisted on shoulders of teammates and fans after winning NCAA basketball championship Monday, March 24, 1980 at Indianapolis. Louisville Cardinals won their first national championship ever, defeating UCLA, 59-54.
Louisville's Darrell Griffith flashes number one sign as he's hoisted on shoulders of teammates and fans after winning NCAA basketball championship Monday, March 24, 1980 at Indianapolis. Louisville Cardinals won their first national championship ever, defeating UCLA, 59-54.

Pick: Second overall

Team: Utah Jazz

Rodney McCray (1983)

UL's Lancaster Gordon,left, and Rodney McCray, right, celebrate their win over UK in Knoxville, 1983.
UL's Lancaster Gordon,left, and Rodney McCray, right, celebrate their win over UK in Knoxville, 1983.

Pick: Third overall

Team: Houston Rockets

Lancaster Gordon (1984)

Lancaster Gordon talks while Louisville’s 1983 Championship team was honored at halftime. Jan. 7, 2023
Lancaster Gordon talks while Louisville’s 1983 Championship team was honored at halftime. Jan. 7, 2023

Pick: Eighth overall

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Billy Thompson (1986)

Members of the Louisville Cardinals flash the No. 1 sign after they defeated Duke at Reunion Arena to win the NCAA Championship, Monday, April 1, 1986, Dallas, Tex. From left are Billy Thompson, Milt Wagner, Kevin Walls, David Robinson and Kenny Payne.
Members of the Louisville Cardinals flash the No. 1 sign after they defeated Duke at Reunion Arena to win the NCAA Championship, Monday, April 1, 1986, Dallas, Tex. From left are Billy Thompson, Milt Wagner, Kevin Walls, David Robinson and Kenny Payne.

Pick: 19th overall

Team: Atlanta Hawks

Pervis Ellison (1989)

Pervis Ellison stuffs home two points with two minutes left in the game against Kentucky. 12/12/1987.
Pervis Ellison stuffs home two points with two minutes left in the game against Kentucky. 12/12/1987.

Pick: First overall

Team: Sacramento Kings

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Kenny Payne (1989)

Kenny Payne, center, is greeted by his former coaches, Denny Crum, center, and Wade Houston, right, as Payne arrived in Louisville to taker over as men's basketball coach at U of L. March 17, 2022
Kenny Payne, center, is greeted by his former coaches, Denny Crum, center, and Wade Houston, right, as Payne arrived in Louisville to taker over as men's basketball coach at U of L. March 17, 2022

Pick: 19th overall

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Felton Spencer (1990)

Pick: Sixth overall

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

LaBradford Smith (1991)

The Washington Bullets LaBradford Smith, left, tries to bat the ball away from Philadelphia 76ers Kenny Payne in the first half. Former UofL teammates square off in the NBA. January 22, 1992
The Washington Bullets LaBradford Smith, left, tries to bat the ball away from Philadelphia 76ers Kenny Payne in the first half. Former UofL teammates square off in the NBA. January 22, 1992

Pick: 19th overall

Team: Washington Bullets

Clifford Rozier (1994)

Clifford Rozier was a former University of Louisville basketball star that was drafted in the first round of the NBA in 1994.
Clifford Rozier was a former University of Louisville basketball star that was drafted in the first round of the NBA in 1994.

Pick: 16th overall

Team: Golden State Warriors

Greg Minor (1994)

Pick: 25th overall

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Samaki Walker (1996)

Pick: Ninth overall

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Denny Crum's Louisville basketball legacy: First round NBA draft picks

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