Here’s the release from UConn announcing the that two former UConn Huskies men’s basketball players, Worthington Patterson and Bill Corley will be inducted into the “Huskies of Honor” next month.
STORRS, Conn. – Former University of Connecticut men’s basketball stars Worthington “Worthy” Patterson and Bill Corley will be inducted into the school’s “Huskies of Honor” at the men’s basketball game vs. DePaul on Wednesday, February 15 in the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
The “Huskies of Honor” program began during the 2006-07 season and pays visible tribute in Gampel Pavilion to the top players, coaches and contributors in UConn men’s and women’s basketball history.
Patterson (Class of 1954) was a 6-3 forward who enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career that was highlighted in February of 1954 when he hit a game-winning basket with one second left to play to help UConn upset powerful Holy Cross 78-77 before a sellout crowd at the Worcester Auditorium. Holy Cross was ranked No. 7 in the nation at the time and had not lost a home game in more than five years. That game-winning basket, called “The Shot” at the time, propelled UConn into the 1954 NCAA Tournament.
Patterson was a key member on three consecutive Yankee Conference championships teams at Connecticut (1952-54) and the Huskies compiled an overall three-year record of 60-14. He was a two-time First Team All-Yankee Conference and NABC All-District selection (1953 and 1954). He was also an All-New England pick in 1953.
Worthy Patterson also became the first UConn basketball standout to play professionally in the NBA (1957-58) with the St. Louis Hawks.
Corley (Class of 1968), who died in 1999, was a 6-7 center/forward who holds the UConn basketball single-game scoring record of 51 points, set against New Hampshire in January of 1968. A member of the UConn Basketball 25-member All-Century Team, Corley averaged a rare “double-double” in his three-year varsity career at Connecticut (16.9 ppg and 13.7 rpg).
Corley still ranks third all-time at UConn in career rebound average (13.7/game). He was a three-time All-Yankee Conference and All-New England selection (1966-68) and a two-time NABC All-District First Team honoree (1967 & 1968). Corley completed his UConn career with 1,219 points and 986 rebounds.
Each member of the “Huskies of Honor” is recognized with a four foot-by-five foot panel in the upper end zones of Gampel Pavilion.
In addition to the large individual panels, each honoree also has a plaque that will be on display on the lobby level of Gampel Pavilion. The plaques include a photo of each honoree and summarize their top career achievements.
The additions of Patterson and Corley to the “Huskies of Honor” induction list increases the total number of UConn men’s basketball honorees to 20.
Players (16): Walt Dropo, Vin Yokabaskas, Art Quimby, Toby Kimball, Wes Bialosuknia, Tony Hanson, Corny Thompson, Clifford Robinson, Chris Smith, Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Kemba Walker, Worthy Patterson, Bill Corley.
Coaches (3): Hugh Greer, Dee Rowe, Jim Calhoun.
Contributors (1): John Toner-Director of Athletics.
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