Ex-Cat Brannum named to Kansas Hall of Fame

Former University of Kentucky basketball All-American Bob Brannum was among eight new members named Monday to the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Brannum, a native of Winfield, Kan., went on to play four years with the Boston Celtics. Brannum died in 2005 at age 78.

The 6-foot-5 Brannum led his Kansas high school team to the state tournament his junior and senior seasons before enrolling at Kentucky to play for fellow Kansan Adolph Rupp.

Brannum led the 1943-44 Wildcats in scoring as a freshman, averaging 12.1 points and earning consensus All-America honors.

Brannum's Kentucky career was interrupted by two years in the Army during World War II, after which he played one more season for the Cats (1946-47) and averaged 4.3 points before transferring to Michigan State.

Kansas' Hall of Fame Class of 2013 will be enshrined Oct. 6 during a ceremony in Wichita, Kan.

This story was originally published July 2, 2013 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Ex-Cat Brannum named to Kansas Hall of Fame."