With March Madness starting soon, college basketball fans around the country are gearing up for their favorite teams to win and the teams they hate to fail. In Kentucky, March Madness is not just a tournament — it may as well be a holiday. UK basketball is not an athletic program, it is a dynasty. UK is the most successful basketball program in NCAA Division I history, so it's no surprise that the cats have caught the attention of celebrities. In the spirit of "striving for 9," here are nine notable UK Basketball fans.
1. Drake
Probably one of the most recognizable UK fans, rapper Drake does not hide his love for the Wildcats. In fact, this past summer, Drake was presented with cease and desist from UK for recruiting violations. He was also a special guest at Big Blue Madness in 2014 and introduced Coach Cal via video for BBM in 2015.
It doesn't stop there either: Drake has immortalized the Kentucky Wildcats in his music. In "6 Man" from the album "If You're Reading This It's Too Late," UK Wildcat turned NBA star DeMarcus Cousins is referenced.
"Scholarships" from the Drake and Future collaboration "What A Time To Be Alive" also has a direct reference to Kentucky, with Drake stating that he "rocks Kentucky blue."
Drake also loves girls from Kentucky, in "Company" from "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" he explicitly states, "I need a girl from the country, I need a girl from Kentucky."
It's no secret that Drake loves Kentucky, and we love him right back.
2. Jay Z
After UK beat North Carolina in 2011, they had a special guest waiting for them in their locker room. Rap mogul Jay Z was there to congratulate the Cats while passing out handshakes and taking pictures. This picture landed Jay Z in some hot water with the NBA since he was part owner of the Brooklyn Nets and it is prohibited for team personnel to interact with players who are not yet draft eligible.
He was fined $50K, which he detailed in his hit featuring Kanye West, "Paris" from album "Watch The Throne." "So I ball so hard mother------ wanna fine me, first f------ gotta find me, what's 50 grand to a mother------ like me? Can you please remind me?"
3. President Obama
Is it really a surprise that the leader of the free world would be a Cats fan? In 2015, President Obama picked the Wildcats to take home the NCAA tournament title.
After winning the title in 2012, the Wildcats took a trip to the White House to present President Obama with a jersey and a championship ring.
4. LeBron James
NBA superstar LeBron James is no stranger to Kentucky. He has participated in the iconic "Y" at games as well as has a pretty close relationship with Coach Cal. In 2014, Cal and LeBron were seen watching LeBron's son play basketball together.
Not to mention that in February of 2016, UK got their very own pair of shoes in the LeBron Zoom Soldier 9 series.
5. Ashley Judd
Probably Drake's only competition for Kentucky's number one fan, actress Ashley Judd is practically Queen of RUPP Arena. UK alum and Kappa Kappa Gamma sister, she is also the face of an iconic UK Hockey poster.
6. Josh Hutcherson
"Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson is a Kentucky native and makes no effort to hide that he bleeds blue. This iconic picture was taken when he had the honor of performing the "Y" at a Kentucky vs Louisville game. He went on to tell KY Sports Radio that performing the Y was the "single most proud moment that I've had as a side effect of my acting career."
On a side note, his "Hunger Games" costar Jennifer Lawrence, another Kentucky native, is a Louisville fan. I wonder if that ever made things awkward on set.
7. Steve Zahn
Dallas Buyers Club actor Steve Zahn is a UK fan and Kentucky Sports Radio cites him as performing "the most intense Y ever."
8. Wale
Presented with a jersey in 2012, rapper Wale stopped by to watch a Wildcat practice while in Lexington for a concert at RUPP Arena. Wale also referenced Coach Cal in his song "Varsity Blues." The reference goes as: "They hate on Calipari, but I never seen the problem, they get one season poppin', at least he's being honest."
9. George Clooney
George Clooney, who was born in Lexington, declared his love for Kentucky basketball in an interview with Mario Lopez saying "I watch sports and it kills her [wife, Amal] because I got her into March Madness a little. I'm a huge Kentucky fan, so I'm watching cause I think we're gonna win it, so she knows about the Harrison twins..."
An old picture (above) surfaced of Clooney in his younger days rocking Kentucky Basketball shorts while playing.
UK has no shortage of celebrity fans, obviously. Being a Kentucky fan isn't just a hobby; it's a lifestyle.
