Missouri coach says Leonard Hamilton belongs in Hall of Fame

LEXINGTON — Leonard Hamilton isn't part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

But Missouri coach Dennis Gates said that needs to change. Immediately.

Gates called for Hamilton's Hall of Fame inclusion Wednesday after Mizzou's 73-68 win over Kentucky at Rupp Arena. There was a tie-in with Hamilton, too: He spent 12 seasons as a Wildcats assistant coach from 1974-75 through 1985-86, the first 11 under Joe B. Hall and then the debut campaign for Eddie Sutton.

Here's everything Gates had to say about Hamilton, who won 660 games as a college head coach in stints at Oklahoma State, Miami and Florida State:

Opening statement

"Had a long conversation with Leonard Hamilton last night. Obviously, we know who he is around these parts. (He) gave me some great wisdom. Unbelievable mentor to me.

"This game was dedicated to him."

Dennis Gates on Leonard Hamilton's influence and Hall of Fame candidacy

"When we think about what Leonard Hamilton did at the University of Kentucky as the first Black associate head coach in the SEC, during a time where he was charged with a difficult task: How do you diversify Kentucky basketball? He was able to do that at a national level with his big-time recruits. He put Joe B. Hall, the university, on the map in a certain way.

"For that alone, he should be in the Hall of Fame. Forget his head coaching career. He should be in the Hall of Fame, because at that moment, the tradition that is here? He has a big part in it. And there's no doubt about it.

"At some point, he should have been the head coach at the University of Kentucky. But he wasn't. That's OK.

"He started Oklahoma State. He started Miami. He did what he did at Florida State. He resurged and had a blueprint that I am excited to be a part of his tree, to be able to build something from the ground up.

"Now, at the end of the day, as a head coach, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, OK? Now as a mentor, I can call him at any moment of the night. We can talk about any subject known to man. It's just like the Florida game (last week). He said, 'I was looking at the TV. I've watched the game three times. And I was like a kid.' That's what he said. So I can only imagine — because I talked to him last night while we were in shootaround last night here, while in Rupp. (I) told him where I was at, and at that point, he's giving me stories.

"Now, when I call coach Ham, you've got to understand. (I'll ask), 'Were you sleeping?' Now, it may be 1 or 2 a.m. His response is always, 'Man, I'm waiting on your call.' And that's a mentor.

"So I'm thankful for what he's done, not only to Kentucky, but the game of basketball and how he's changed the trajectory of my career to be able to instill in me some leadership skills on his watch. He allowed me to mess up. He allowed (it), but he always was a custodian and cleaned up my mess. Now, once I got experience at that point? Man, he allowed me to make decisions, and I'm thankful for him."

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Leonard Hamilton belongs in Hall of Fame, Missouri's Dennis Gates says