Nash, UK star who played in NBA and MLB, passes away

May 23, 2023, 09:12 PM ET

LEXINGTON, Ky.– Charles “Cotton” Nash, a three-time All-America forward at Kentucky who played in the NBA, ABA and Major League Baseball, has actually died. He was 80.

The school revealed Nash’s death on Tuesday after being notified by his boy, Patrick, however did not specify a cause.Nicknamed “Cotton”as

a kid in referral to his bright blonde hair, the versatile Nash balanced 22.7 points and 12.3 rebounds over 78 games from 1962-64. His 1,770 points ranked first in school history at the end of his college profession and presently stand ninth. His 962 rebounds rank fifth.Nash went on to become one of just 13 players to appear in the NBA and the majors

. Prepared 14th general by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964, he played there and for the San Francisco Warriors during the’64 -’65 NBA season. Nash later bet the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels in 1967-68. Nash played 9 seasons of expert baseball, including

13 games in the majors in between 1967 and 1970 with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins as a very first baseman and outfielder. He signed his first professional handle the Los Angeles Angels.Nash was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice in basketball and runner-up as national player of the year as a senior. He assisted the Wildcats win 2 SEC champions on the court and earned all-SEC Eastern Department honors in baseball.He also tossed the discus in track and field.Nash’s No. 44 basketball jersey awaits the rafters at Rupp Arena and he belongs to the

UK Sports and Kentucky Sports halls of popularity.

“His achievements in basketball and baseball made him a rarity in American sports history, “Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a declaration.