Dan Issel
Dan Issel is a former professional basketball player and coach. He remains the all-time leading scorer for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program, where he earned All-American honors twice, broke 23 school records, and led the Wildcats to three Southeastern Conference titles. Issel went on to have a professional career in the ABA, where he was a six-time All-Star for the Kentucky Colonels. He later joined the Denver Nuggets, where he ranks third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list and remains a central figure in the team’s history. Issel later returned to the franchise in leadership roles, serving two stints as head coach and also working as general manager. In 1993, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Featured Book
Dan Issel: From Kentucky Wildcat to NBA Legend
Dan Issel didn’t just play the game—he transformed it. Over a career spanning more than thirty five years, he left an indelible mark on every level of basketball. From breaking records at the University of Kentucky to starting for the Kentucky Colonels and later the Denver Nuggets, Issel’s impact was unmistakable. A prolific scorer, he amassed over 27,000 points across his combined ABA and NBA career, securing his place among the top scorers in basketball history. Dan Issel delivers a vivid and revealing portrait of this basketball legend, illuminating both his extraordinary career and the man behind the records, in collaboration with journalist Doug Brunk. It’s a compelling read for basketball fans of all ages—and an essential addition to every University of Kentucky Wildcat fan’s bookshelf.
Meet Dan Issel and get a copy of their book at the 2026 Kentucky Book Festival, Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.