I was told this morning that former Cat great Ed Davender suffered a massive heart attack and is currently on life support in Lexington. I realize he had a brush with the law, but this is tough. Hopefully he can pull through.
Prayers Up for Former Cat Ed Davender
- Thread starter deuces r wild_rivals39030
- Start date
Wow, very sad. One guy who had a successful career that many don't know about. He is the last UK player to end his career ranked in the top 10 at UK in scoring, assists and steals. Here are his rankings when he left UK and his current rankings:
After his final game at UK
7th in points
4th is assists
1st in steals
Current rankings
11th in points
8th in assists
4th in steals
After his final game at UK
7th in points
4th is assists
1st in steals
Current rankings
11th in points
8th in assists
4th in steals
Not so well after he left however. Was one of the major players that ran afoul of the law in a ticket scalping scheme. Have a friend who actually bought tickets from Ed during that period.
Having said that, hope he does make a full recovery.
The 3 point shot was first added his Junior year (I think). And no one yet appreciated the weapon it could be. If they had, Ed would have been deadly.
My question for all -
Did Ed ever dunk in a game at UK? I don't think I remember seeing it? I would always yell at the tv for him to dunk, and damned if he didn't always lay it in. If anyone knows, let me know.
Did Ed ever dunk in a game at UK? I don't think I remember seeing it? I would always yell at the tv for him to dunk, and damned if he didn't always lay it in. If anyone knows, let me know.
They are going to remove him from life support within the next day. Unfortunately he has loss all brain function.
No he did not dunk in a game. I use to tease him about it all the time and he would just say the layup counted the same. It has been a tough couple of weeks for former Boys & Girls HS point guards, with Pearl Washington passing, and now Eddie D.
Deuce,did you know Ed personally? It sounds like you did. Very sorry to hear,they were some great guard oriented teams.
One of my favorites, too. I was a 6th-9th grader during his time at UK & I'll always be somewhat partial to the guys I grew up watching. Davender & Chapman were a dominant backcourt tandem & they were guys I emulated & looked up to. They may have used bad judgement & made some mistakes later in life but that will never take away the influence & effect they had on me &/or my "game".
IMO Davender is an all-timer who is frequently left out of those types of discussions. Speaks volumes for the tradition of great players at UK that a guy like ED is often forgotten. Great player on both ends.
IMO Davender is an all-timer who is frequently left out of those types of discussions. Speaks volumes for the tradition of great players at UK that a guy like ED is often forgotten. Great player on both ends.
RIP
Hard to believe this isn't getting more attention. He was an outstanding player on our best team of the '80s. Sutton's first team was undersized, but with Kenny Walker and Winston Bennett up front, they had the heart of a lion.
Hard to believe this isn't getting more attention. He was an outstanding player on our best team of the '80s. Sutton's first team was undersized, but with Kenny Walker and Winston Bennett up front, they had the heart of a lion.
wow...I had MS classes with him. He was a nice guy in college. He is my age and this makes me a little scared about my 30 lbs overweight
Yes - I have known Ed since his freshman year. We hit it off in Dr. Bladen's Geography of KY class and have kept in touch ever since I graduated and moved away from Lexington. I remember coming back to Keeneland last spring and seeing him at a distance. I hollered out his nickname "Bugeye" and he immediately knew it was me or someone from back home in New York.
RIP "Bugeye"
RIP... My brother called me and told me he saw Ed last Friday, said he didn't look too good. The time he did for the ticket charge had taken it's toll on him. They have been friends since my brother was a football player at U of L. I met Ed a couple of time through mutual friends. This is very sad....
Ed was perhaps the most under appreciated player in UK history.
The guy was just excellent and smooth. He always played in the shadow of other "stars" like Kenny Walker and Rex Chapman.
RIP
The guy was just excellent and smooth. He always played in the shadow of other "stars" like Kenny Walker and Rex Chapman.
RIP
Unbelievable. I wish his family peace. He was only 3 years older than I am, but I remember looking up to him like a kid. RIP ED. You will be missed.
Ed never did get the tickets he promised me but he did get me all my money back after several months. I never held it against him. Figured he had problems, but I always wished him the best and hoped things would turn out well for him. Praying for his friends and family. God bless them in their loss! Gone way too soon!
As a few of you have said, Ed was one of my high school era UK players. I enjoyed watching him play and saddened to learn he is gone. Time waits for no one.
Condolences to the entire UK family. I remember watching him play. RIP Mr. Davender.
RIP Ed and thank you for some great memories in the history of UK basketball. You were a pleasure to watch and played with some of the UK greats.
Just read an article discussing Davender's home gym;
"Few know the stage better than Ray Haskins, a native of Bedford Stuyvesant and a seasoned raconteur. He holds a unique position in the Brooklyn basketball landscape. He co-founded the Soul in the Hole tournament at 44 Park and used to keep the gym at St. John’s Recreation Center open until 2 a.m. when he served as the site’s sports director. He coached at Alexander Hamilton High when Georgetown coach John Thompson II came around to recruit in the ’80s, and recalls Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall’s home visit to meet with Ed Davender. Hall offered to hail a cab, but Haskins insisted they walk over to Davender’s place. Passersby welcomed him.
“Joe B. was so amazed how many people in New York knew him,” Haskins says. “He thought I set it up. Basketball is a part of our life.” "
"Few know the stage better than Ray Haskins, a native of Bedford Stuyvesant and a seasoned raconteur. He holds a unique position in the Brooklyn basketball landscape. He co-founded the Soul in the Hole tournament at 44 Park and used to keep the gym at St. John’s Recreation Center open until 2 a.m. when he served as the site’s sports director. He coached at Alexander Hamilton High when Georgetown coach John Thompson II came around to recruit in the ’80s, and recalls Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall’s home visit to meet with Ed Davender. Hall offered to hail a cab, but Haskins insisted they walk over to Davender’s place. Passersby welcomed him.
“Joe B. was so amazed how many people in New York knew him,” Haskins says. “He thought I set it up. Basketball is a part of our life.” "
Didn't know he was involved in that mess.
I met Ed one time and he was very gracious.
Always like him as a player and the person I met briefly. Seemed like a nice guy.
I met Ed one time and he was very gracious.
Always like him as a player and the person I met briefly. Seemed like a nice guy.
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