In 1977 the University of Louisville men’s basketball team was on an upswing; a swing that would lead to two NCAA championships during the 1980’s.
One of the reasons for the Cards late 70’s success was small forward Wesley Cox. A stand out at his alma mater, Male, it became very clear that a number of colleges were seriously looking at the young man. Cox ended up going to his hometown school, lacing up for the Cards during his freshman season in 1973.
Cox quickly made a name for himself both locally and nationally and proved himself to be one of Louisville’s best assets at the time, a keen understanding of the game of basketball, Cox was a star during that late 70’s boom in the NCAA. Of course, in a lot of ways that time frame from the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s led the league, and certainly the tournament to its national and even international prominence in the game of basketball.
After a stellar four years as a college athlete Cox looked toward the NBA draft for his shot at the pros. It was June 10, 1977 that that draft would commence, the first pick went to the Milwaukee Bucks who selected Kent Benson out of Indiana.
Later in that first round, Cox got his own pick from the Golden State Warriors who had the 18th selection of the draft. Despite providing an overall strong presence with the California based team, Cox’s pro career was relatively unremarkable playing only two seasons with the Warriors.
Still, his history of talent and basketball intelligence has made him into an area name which so many can’t forget and for that reason Wesley Cox is a sports legend of the ‘Ville.
Outside Sources
Image courtesy of Bleacher Report
