In Kentucky basketball lore, some names ring louder than others. Dan Issel. Jamal Mashburn. Anthony Davis. But mention the number 21, and two legends rise above the rest: Jack “Goose” Givens and Tayshaun Prince.
Both wore the same number. Both were beloved by Big Blue Nation. Both left an indelible mark on the program.
But only one can be the greatest No. 21 in Kentucky history.
Let’s break it down.
Goose Givens: The 1978 National Title Hero
The Resume
- Years: 1974–1978
- Points: 2,038 (3rd all-time at UK at time of graduation)
- National Championship: 1978
- Most Outstanding Player: 1978 NCAA Tournament Final
- Career FG%: 51.6%
- Number of Games Played: 123
- Jersey Retired: Yes
Jack “Goose” Givens wasn’t just a scorer — he was a smooth, efficient offensive machine. A 6-foot-5 lefty out of Lexington, Givens came to Kentucky at a time when the program needed a local star to lead it back to glory. He delivered.
But what cements Goose’s name in marble is that unforgettable performance on March 27, 1978, in St. Louis. The stakes? Kentucky’s first national championship in 20 years. The opponent? Duke. The moment? Goose time.
He dropped 41 points, slicing through the Blue Devils with silky jumpers and unstoppable drives. It’s still considered one of the greatest performances in NCAA championship history.
Goose didn’t just play in a title game — he owned it.
Tayshaun Prince: The Modern Era Maestro
The Resume
- Years: 1998–2002
- Points: 1,775
- SEC Player of the Year: 2001
- All-SEC: 4x
- NCAA Appearances: 4 (including 1 Elite Eight)
- Career 3PT%: 34.7%
- NBA Career: 12+ years, NBA Champion (2004)
Prince was the prototype for the modern hybrid forward — long, rangy, versatile. At 6-foot-9 with the wingspan of a pterodactyl, Prince could defend 1 through 4 and hit jumpers from anywhere on the court.
His signature moment? The 2001 game against North Carolina in Rupp Arena. Prince drilled five straight three-pointers to open the game, sending the crowd into a frenzy and Dick Vitale into a shouting fit of admiration. He finished with 31 points and a performance that’s still replayed in Lexington sports bars.
While Goose delivered a national title, Prince gave BBN sustained greatness and an unforgettable pro career that carried Big Blue pride into the NBA.
Legacy vs Longevity
This is where the debate tightens.
Givens has the ring. And not just any ring — he led the team to it. His 41-point masterpiece is etched in the collective memory of BBN. No player in UK history has been more clutch in the biggest moment.
But Prince played in the modern era, faced deeper talent pools, and shined both in college and the pros. He was a consistent star across four years, while also setting a tone for Kentucky’s guard-forward hybrids in the Tubby Smith era.
Givens is immortalized for one monumental night. Prince is celebrated for four years of elite-level play and a pro career most Kentucky greats envy.
What the Stats Say
| Category | Goose Givens | Tayshaun Prince |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 2,038 | 1,775 |
| FG% | 51.6% | 45.8% |
| 3PT% | N/A (pre-3pt era) | 34.7% |
| Games Played | 123 | 135 |
| National Championships | 1 | 0 |
| Career High in NCAA Tourney | 41 (vs Duke, ‘78) | 28 (vs Tulsa, ‘01) |
| All-Americans | 1x (2nd Team) | 1x (2nd Team) |
| Jersey Retired | Yes | No |
While Givens holds the edge in career scoring, it’s important to remember he didn’t have the benefit (or temptation) of the three-point shot. Prince’s perimeter shooting added a different dynamic, especially in the fast-paced, perimeter-focused style of modern college hoops.
What Fans Say ️
Ask anyone from the 1970s and they’ll tell you Goose Givens is royalty.
“I was there when he dropped 41. We stormed the streets after the game,” one longtime Kentucky fan recalled.
But younger fans — especially those who came of age during the Tubby and early Calipari years — hold Prince in the same esteem.
“He was our guy. Ice cold from deep, smooth as silk. That UNC game? Chills.”
The generational divide is clear. For those over 50, Goose is sacred. For those under 40, Tayshaun’s the people’s champ.
The NBA Factor
Let’s talk pro careers.
Goose Givens played three years in the NBA after being selected 16th overall in the 1978 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He had a modest pro career, later playing in the CBA and overseas. His post-basketball legacy includes broadcasting and mentoring young athletes.
Tayshaun Prince, meanwhile, was drafted 23rd overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2002. He won an NBA title in 2004, helped lead the Pistons to six straight Eastern Conference Finals, and was widely regarded as one of the league’s best defenders. His chase-down block on Reggie Miller in the 2004 playoffs remains one of the most iconic defensive plays in modern NBA history.
In terms of professional impact, Prince wins easily. He didn’t just make it to the NBA — he thrived.
Cultural Impact
Goose Givens played in an era when Black athletes in the South were still overcoming systemic barriers. His success at Kentucky — an SEC school with a complex racial past — was more than just athletic. It was cultural. He was a hometown hero from Lexington who carried the program through a transformative period.
Tayshaun Prince came at a time when Kentucky basketball had already evolved into a national powerhouse. He was a vital bridge between the Rick Pitino era and the Calipari era, showing that UK could still attract elite players and produce professionals even without a title run.
In many ways, Goose was a pioneer, while Prince was a blueprint for the modern wing.
Intangibles: Icon Moments
- Goose: 41-point explosion vs Duke in the ‘78 NCAA Final. The defining individual performance in Kentucky’s national championship history.
- Prince: 5 threes in 5 possessions vs UNC. One of the most explosive scoring stretches Rupp Arena has ever seen.
Each had his “chills down your spine” moment. Each gave Big Blue Nation something eternal.
Final Verdict: Who’s the Best No. 21?
If you’re judging purely by college performance and legacy, Goose Givens is the answer.
He won a national championship — and not as a role player or defensive anchor, but as the offensive alpha. He has a statue-level game that no other Wildcat has replicated under such high stakes.
But if you’re factoring in longevity, evolution of the game, and NBA success, Tayshaun Prince makes a compelling case. He’s a modern UK legend, a champion at the next level, and the perfect symbol of versatility, leadership, and quiet excellence.
So… Who Gets the Crown?
It comes down to this:
- If the debate is about the single greatest moment in UK basketball history, the crown belongs to Goose Givens.
- If the debate is about overall impact across college and pro basketball, Tayshaun Prince earns your vote.
But we asked: Who is the greatest No. 21 in Kentucky history?
Answer: Goose Givens.
The jersey is retired. The banner hangs high. And the 41-point masterpiece remains unmatched. Legends are remembered. Champions are eternal.
And no Kentucky Wildcat wearing #21 has ever owned a moment quite like Goose did in 1978.
