Jodie Meeks: Kentucky’s Record-Setting Sharpshooter
A Scoring Onslaught for the Ages
Jodie Meeks etched his name in Kentucky basketball lore with one of the most electrifying performances in program history by dropping 54 points at Tennessee in 2009, setting UK’s single-game scoring record while draining a school-record 10 three-pointers.
Dominant Wildcat Career (2007–09)
-
2009 Consensus Second-Team All-American
-
First-Team All-SEC (2009)Â &Â SEC All-Freshman Team (2007)
-
Second-most points in a season (854 in 2008–09) behind only Dan Issel
-
UK single-season three-point record (117 made)
-
Tied for best career free-throw percentage (.890, min. 200 attempts)
-
7 career 30-point games (T-7th in UK history)
-
177 career threes (8th in UK history)
NBA Journey (2009–2019)
Meeks’ lethal shooting earned him a 10-year NBA career, playing for:
-
Milwaukee Bucks (2009–10)
-
Philadelphia 76ers (2010–12)
-
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–14) – Key role player alongside Kobe Bryant
-
Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors
Legacy in Lexington
Though his UK tenure was brief, Meeks left an indelible mark:
Most points in a game (54) – a record that still stands
Most threes in a season (117) – a benchmark for Kentucky shooters
Clutch performer – 7 career 30-point games showcased his scoring brilliance
Meeks’ record-breaking Tennessee masterpiece remains one of the greatest individual performances in SEC history on a night when the quiet assassin from Norcross, Georgia, became a Kentucky legend forever.
“54 points. 10 threes. One unforgettable night.”