Tayshaun Prince selected for Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame

Before Tayshaun Prince became a legend at the University of Kentucky, he grew up a skinny kid from Compton, California. Decades later, he’s being recognized by his home as one of the greatest hoopers to ever come through the area.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Prince has been selected for the 2022 Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame (SCBBHOF), joining an impressive group of 16 inductees headlined by the likes of Paul Pierce, Jay Bilas, Michael Cooper, Andre Miller, and several others. The 41-year-old former Wildcat is currently the Vice-President of Basketball Affairs for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

Prince played at Dominguez High School (CA) from 1995-1998, winning four Southern Section championships and two state championships along the way before being named a McDonald’s All-American as a senior. The 6-foot-9 wing was also the 1998 California Mr. Basketball and a Second-Team Parade All-American the same season.

Congrats to @memgrizz VP Tayshaun Prince on his selection for the 2022 So. California Basketball HOF great @DominguezHSDons then @KentuckyMBB where he had 41 in NCAA playoff game for @UKAthletics won @nba title @DetroitPistons

— SoCal Basketball Hall of Fame (@SoCalBBHOF) November 1, 2022

2022 Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame inductees

Bill Armstrong	Stacey Augmon	Jay Bilas
Mitchell Butler	Michael Cooper	Keith Erickson
Nicole Erickson	David Greenwood	Ebony Hoffman
Andre Miller	Eugenia Miller	Paul Pierce
Tayshaun Prince	Lorenzo Romar	Willie West Jr.
Candice Wiggins		Steve Fryer (Lifetime Service)

Following a modest freshman campaign at UK during the 1998-99 season, Prince stepped into his role as a future star in year two under Tubby Smith. He averaged 13.3 points per game while leading the team in minutes. Prince’s junior season in 2000-01 was arguably his most impressive as a ‘Cat as he poured in 16.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per outing on a shooting split of 49.5/35.8/84.3. He was later named a Consensus Second-Team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year before returning for his senior season.

As a senior in 2001-02, Prince then put up figures of 17.5 points (a team-high), 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, making an All-American Second-Team and Third-Team in the process. He was also named a First Team All-SEC player in 2001 and 2002, winning SEC Tournament MVP in his final season with the ‘Cats.

Once his college career was up, Prince was taken No. 23 overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, where he spent close to 11 seasons and quickly established himself as an “iron man” player and necessary glue piece for the franchise. Detroit would win the 2004 NBA Finals with Prince starting and averaging 10.3 points in 32.9 minutes per game as just a second-year pro. He’s semi-notorious for never earning an All-Star nod, but he made up for it with four straight All-Defensive Team recognitions from 2004-08.

Prince was eventually traded from the Pistons to the Grizzlies in early 2013 as part of a three-team trade. 32 years old at the time, his on-court production began to dwindle from there. Prince spent additional time with the Boston Celtics (only nine games), went back to the Pistons for 23 total appearances, and then made it to the Minnesota Timberwolves before retiring after the 2015-16 season. Prince also won two Gold medals with the United States National Team in 2007 (FIBA) and 2008 (Olympics).

Let’s reminiscence on his best moment wearing a Kentucky uniform…