Billy Evans, 88, member of 1956 gold medal U.S. team, dies

Billy Evans, a member of 1956 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team and Kentucky Hall of Famer who helped Wildcats go 25-0 in 1953-54, has died. He was 88.

school announced Evans’ death on Sunday upon confirmation from his family. He h 716 points and 549 rebounds in 83 career games over three seasons from 1952-55 playing under legendary coach olph Rupp.

Evans was selected by Rochester Royals in fifth round of 1955 NBA draft, a year before he won gold with U.S. at 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, with Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame teammates Bill Russell and K.C. Jones.

A forward known for being a team player who did a little bit of everything for Wildcats, Evans played with teammates and fellow Hall of Famers Cliff Hagan, Frank Ramsey and Lou Tsioropoulos that unbeaten season. Kentucky received its second Helms Foundation national championship in 1954 but declined an NCAA Tournament bid a year after suspension. Wildcats won SEC championships in all three of Evans’ seasons.

Berea, Kentucky, native averaged 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds his final year and was an Associated Press All-Souastern Conference third team selection. He was later a charter member of Kentucky’s Athletics Hall of Fame class, and his jersey hangs from Rupp Arena rafters.