Kentucky Basketball announces passing of Don Mills, member of 1958 National Championship squad

Kentucky Basketball has announced the passing of Don Mills, a member of the Wildcats’ 1958 National Championship squad.

The news reverberated throughout Lexington on Friday afternoon. Mills was a legend for the program, and his name will remain forever etched in the history books for Kentucky.

The announcement made by the team is below. In addition to a photo of Mills, Kentucky listed their legendary center’s accomplishments, as well.

Sending condolences to the family and friends of Don Mills, a member of the 1958 national championship team. pic.twitter.com/7iZtElFpfR

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 8, 2023

“Sending condolences to the family and friends of Don Mills, a member of the 1958 national championship team,” Kentucky Men’s Basketball posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As you can see, Mills was with the Wildcats from 1957 to 1960. Aside from playing a role on the 1958 championship squad, Mills was also named All-SEC Second Team in 1960, and was the sixth-man to the affectionately nicknamed “Fiddlin’ Five” in Wildcats’ lore.

The thoughts and prayers of the college basketball world are with the family and friends of Don Mills, and the Kentucky Wildcats program as a whole.

More on Don Mills, Kentucky Wildcats

Moreover, Don Mills was played a significant role in the 1958 Championship Game against Seattle, which is the reason he’s so revered by Kentucky faithful. Following Wildcats starting center Ed Beck being sidelined due to foul trouble, Mills came in off the bench and scored nine points, including a hook shot over Seattle’s Elgin Baylor with 5:50 minutes left in the second half to give Kentucky the lead.

Additionally, Mills was then elevated to being the Wildcats’ starting center the following season. As a senior in Lexington, Mills averaged 12.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, which led to him being named second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the Associated Press and first team All-SEC by the conference’s coaches.

Don Mills finished his collegiate career with 699 rebounds (9.4 per game) and 664 points (9.4 per game) in 71 total games played.