KYLE MACY Kentucky Wildcat Fan Favorite
Kyle Macy was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 9, 1957. He was raised in Peru, Indiana and played basketball at Peru High School. Kyle played for his dad, Bob at Peru High and was named Mr. Basketball of Indiana in 1975.
Kyle enrolled in Purdue University and played his freshman season for Coach Fred Schaus. The Purdue Boilermakers had a 16-11 season with Macy averaging 13.8 points per game and .859 percent of his free throws.
In 1976 Kyle Macy enrolled in the University of Kentucky and sat out that year due to NCAA transfer rules. In 1977 Kyle started his UK career playing for the legendary Joe Hall who coached 13 seasons 1972 thru 1985. Kyle scored 1411 points in his 3 year career at UK making 52.07 % of his field goals and 89 % of his free throws. His free throw accuracy was the stats record 331 made of 372 attempts, until Jodie Meeks tied his record in 2009. Jodie also made 89% of his free throws over his UK career making 299 shots of 336 attempts. Kyle had a very successful routine when he attempted free throws which include touching wiping his hands on his socks. UK fans who saw Kyle play can probably share with you the exact sequence Kyle went through, because we watched it so many times.
The University of Kentucky won the NCAA Title in 1978 beating their bitter rival Duke 94-88. The Wildcats had a great season with a 30-2 record. Kyle was the point guard with the other guard position being shared by Truman Claytor and Jay Shildler. Kyle Macys’ championship game performance was overshadowed by the great Jack Givens who scored 41 points in that game, three points short of the record, for a championship game. Kyle Macy’s stats speak for themselves, 3 for 3 from the field, 3-4 from the free throw line, a total of nine points for the game. Ironically an unusual miss came from the free throw line his only miss the entire game. Kyle played 38 minutes of the 40, more than any other player. Macy’s leadership on the floor and his consistent play went a long way in the success of the 1978 NCAA Champions.
Kyle Macy was drafted into the NBA by the Phoenix Suns in 1979 being the number 22nd pick. He played 5 years for the Suns averaging 10.6 points and 4 assist per game. Macy played one year for the Chicago Bulls and one year for the Indiana Pacers. Kyle played 3 more years in Italy for two teams. Kyle Macy played professionally for 10 years and lead the NBA in free throw accuracy during the 1981-82 season.
Kyle Macy has received many awards and honors and was always a fan favorite at The University of Kentucky. Kyle was inducted into the Indiana High School Hall of Fame in 2001
Kyle Macy’s famous #4 Jersey is among the greats hanging in the rafters in Rupp Area. This is a very special honor to him. Others Awards are : Pan Am Gold Medal 1979, Academic All-American 1978, All-SEC 1978,79,80, Mid-East Regional MVP 1978, Academic All SEC 1978, SEC Tourney MVP 1979, SEC Male Athlete of the Year 1980, Sullivan Award, Male Student of the Year 1980, All American 1979-80. Kyle Macy is in the State of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame and the University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kyle Macy coached the Morehead State Eagles for nine seasons 1997-2006. His 2003 team shared the conference championship with a 13-3 conference record and a 20-9 overall with Austin Peay. This was the best record for Morehead State in over 19 years. Macy’s Morehead teams were always amount the leaders in the Division 1 free throw shooting percentage. Kyle resigned as Morehead basketball coach in 2006. His overall record was 106-144 and conference record 63-91
Kyle Macy has coached tennis, worked as a TV sportscaster, served as general manager of an expansion team for the Continental Basketball Association, and most recently served as assistance coach to Brian Lane at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
Kyle and his wife Tina have three children and one grandchild.
