LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky basketball player and UK radio analyst Mike Pratt lost his battle with cancer Thursday. He was 73.
“Mike Pratt has been part of the fabric of UK Athletics for more than a half-century,” said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. “As an All-America and All-SEC player, Mike played a significant role in our basketball history. For the last two decades, he brought our games to life with his insightful commentary on our radio broadcasts. He will be missed by the Big Blue Nation and our sympathies are with his wife, Marcia, and their family and friends.”
Pratt’s connection with basketball included stints as a player, coach and analyst. Even those who aren’t Kentucky Wildcats fans knew and respected Pratt for his contributions to the sport.
The UK Athletics Hall of Fame inducted Pratt In 2009. The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame followed suit in 2010 and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame added Pratt in 2019.
The Dayton, Ohio native, was a three-year starter for the Cats, and was part of what UK calls “one of the best trios in program history.” Pratt, along with Dan Issel and Mike Casey played for the legendary Adolph Rupp and the trio accounted for over 5,000 points and 2,300 rebounds in three seasons.
After his time at UK, Pratt played two seasons with the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association and was later an assistant coach on UNC Charlotte’s 1977 Final Four Team, before becoming head coach of the 49ers in 1978.
After coaching, Pratt became a professional scout before moving into broadcasting in 1985. He worked for the Charlotte Hornets Television Network, ESPN and Fox Sports South.
For the past twenty years, Pratt has been courtside for every Kentucky men’s basketball game alongside play-by-play announcer Tom Leach with the UK Sports Network.
“My heart is broken,” Leach said. “He was more brother than broadcaster partner to me and producer Jim Barnhart through so many good times. We loved him just like the Big Blue Nation did. He was an outstanding basketball analyst, but an even better husband, father, grandfather and friend.”
Current head coach John Calipari said Pratt was a family member and a friend. He said, “Mike was a dear friend to me and was an integral part in helping me become head coach here. Ellen and I will forever be grateful to him for his support and kindness. We should all be thankful that he was in our lives. Mike knew that the University and the Big Blue Nation loved him, and they never forgot what he did as a player and then later as a connection for the program. I’m going to miss him.”
Pratt is survived by his wife Marcia, his children Tamaryn and Christopher, his stepchildren Christina Stone and Andy Schultz. Pratt also has a brother, Patrick, and ten grandchildren. The family asks instead of flowers, send donations to Kentucky Friends of V. Arrangements for Pratt are pending.