The Second Annual “Wah Wah” Jones Award was presented to Justin Graham of Rowan County High School during the 2015 Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Awards Ceremony on March 17th in the Bluegrass Ballroom of the Lexington Center in Lexington, KY.
Twelve nominations were submitted from across the state to the Jones family for this prestigious award for senior multi-sport athletes who excel equally in their classroom and community. “All of the nominees were very deserving and it was a difficult decision, just like last year,” said Wallace “Wah” Jones, Jr.
Justin Graham, a senior at Rowan County High School, played football during his freshman and sophomore years, played soccer and ran track his junior and senior years and played basketball and baseball all four years of high school while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Justin considers being part of two KHSAA Elite Eight teams in basketball and soccer his greatest athletic achievements thus far. Justin was also named 2015 Mr. Rowan County by the school’s faculty and administration due to his academic achievements and commitment to his community through extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones, Sr. was a two-sport All-American at the University of Kentucky, playing for legendary coaches Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant, winning two national championships and an NIT. Jones is the only player at the University of Kentucky to have his jerseys retired in both sports. In addition to basketball and football, Jones was a pitcher with the Wildcats and a member of the UK track and field team. He won a gold medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics with Rupp’s “Fabulous Five” and the Phillip 66ers. After college Jones went on to play in the National Basketball Association with the Indianapolis Olympians. During his tremendous athletic career Jones was the image of sportsmanship and is respected throughout the world.
All sports fans are welcome to attend. Tickets are on sale now at https://mrandmisskybball.eventbrite.com. General admission tickets are $10 and VIP tickets which include dinner are $50. For questions or to purchase a table (seats 10) call KLEF directly at 502-583-0564 or 800-232-5308.
The 4th annual Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Award Ceremony serves as a fundraiser for the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation, who has announced Mr. Kentucky Basketball since 1954 and Miss Kentucky Basketball since 1976. KLEF’s mission is to prevent and cure blindness. For more information contact KLEF at 502-583-0564 or go to http://www.kylionseye.org.