Two former local high school basketball legends will be part of the 2025 Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame class to be inducted on Sept. 6 in Elizabethtown.
Former University Heights Academy star Greg Buckner and former Christian County High School guard Anthony Hickey Jr., are included in this year’s class, which also includes former Madisonville-North Hopkins legendary coach Don Parson.
Buckner led the Blazers to the 1992 Sweet 16 state championship and also helped UHA capture the 1991 All “A” state title. He averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, and four assists during his senior season while earning First Team All-State honors.
He originally signed with Providence, but was released from his letter-of-intent to follow coach Rick Barnes to Clemson where he led the Tigers in scoring all four years.
After college, Buckner played 10 years in the NBA and now is an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Hickey led Christian County to the 2011 Sweet 16 state title and was named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball.
After high school, Hickey signed with LSU and played three seasons before transferring to Oklahoma State.
He is currently enjoying a professional career in Italy.
Parson began coaching at Calhoun High School and eventually landed at Madisonville in 1967. He spent more than 30 years coaching the Maroons and won 706 games, including seven regional titles. He is 11th on the Kentucky all-time list for winningest coaches.
Others being inducted in the 2025 class include Hardin McLane (Elizabethtown Catholic), Natalie Powers Payne (Apollo), John “Hop” Brown (West Carter), Julius Berry (Dunbar), Brett Burrow (North Hardin), Phil “Cookie” Grawemeyer (Dupont Manual), Kim Mays Mills (Knox Central), Jason Osborne (Male), and Adrian “Odie” Smith (Farmington).
File Photo