The 78 Cats won a national title defeating the Duke Blue Devils behind 41 from Goose Givens. However, who remembers who scored the last basket of that game? James Lee is the answer, and just a year prior he had a dunk that is still talked about by anyone who has seen it. Find out what went down.
March 27, 1978; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats center Rick Robey (53) guard James Lee (32) and Jack Givens (21) celebrate a victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game for the 1978 NCAA men basketball tournament. Kentucky beat Duke 94-88.
March 27, 1978; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats center Rick Robey (53) guard James Lee (32) and Jack Givens (21) celebrate a victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game for the 1978 NCAA men basketball tournament. Kentucky beat Duke 94-88.
When you think of the greatest dunks in Kentucky basketball history, a few names come to mind. James Young’s one-handed hammer in the 2014 national championship game. Dirk Minnifield’s jaw-dropping aerial displays in the early ‘80s. Even Otega Oweh’s explosive slams this past season. But one dunk—the best dunk you’ve probably never seen—belongs to James Lee in an exhibition game against the Soviet Union in 1977.
The Forgotten Slam of James Lee
Kentucky fans will always remember Jack “Goose” Givens’ 41-point masterpiece in the 1978 national championship game against Duke. But few recall who scored the final basket of that game—James Lee.
A second-round pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, Lee was known for his explosiveness, power, and fearlessness at the rim. And while his name might not appear on highlight reels today, those lucky enough to be inside Memorial Coliseum in 1977 saw something they’d never forget.
Kentucky vs. the Soviet Union: A Night for the Ages
The 1977 Soviet Union national team was no joke. Fresh off a silver medal at EuroBasket 1976, they came to Lexington as one of the most physically dominant squads in international basketball. Kentucky, however, wasn’t intimidated. The Wildcats ran them off the floor in a 109-75 rout.
Stats from that game are nearly impossible to find. It was an exhibition, and record-keeping wasn’t exactly a priority. But ask anyone who was in attendance, and they won’t tell you about the score—they’ll tell you about James Lee’s dunk.
A Dunk That Defied Physics
The Soviets had size. Their roster included towering rim protectors like 7’2” Aleksander Belostenny and possibly 7’4” Vladimir Tkachenko—both legendary European big men. Kentucky had athleticism and speed, but in this moment, Lee had something more: sheer, unstoppable force.
Lee took flight. He rose toward the rim, and a massive Soviet center slid over to challenge him. Mistake.
Lee met the defender at the summit, powering through his outstretched arm as if it were a paper towel. The ball crashed through the hoop, the Soviet big man crumpled to the floor, and the crowd exploded. The rim nearly came off, as did the roof. The defender? Reports vary—some say he was left shaking his arm in pain. Others insist he simply wanted no part of Lee after that.
But here’s the thing: there’s no video. No footage, no film, no highlights. Just the stories passed down from those who saw it live. “You had to be there.”
The Legend Grows
For decades, Minnifield’s aerial artistry has been the gold standard for Kentucky dunks. And make no mistake—Dirk’s place at the top is well-earned. But talk to the old-timers, and they’ll tell you it’s a much closer race than you think.
If video of James Lee’s dunk existed, it might be playing on an endless loop in Rupp Arena. Instead, it’s become a ghost story, a piece of Kentucky lore only passed down through those who witnessed it firsthand.
So, the next time you find someone who was in Memorial Coliseum that night, ask them about James Lee’s dunk. Watch their eyes light up.
Because sometimes, the best moments in basketball aren’t the ones you can find on YouTube. They’re the ones that live on in the memories of those who were lucky enough to see them.
Leave a Reply