To me, Shelby Linville was a true, genuine basketball player. I got to see him play a few games in tournaments at the Fairgrounds in Dayton. Shelby was basketball to me, the way he walked, carried himself, moved, he was taken from the mold of what and how a basketball player should be. To this day, I judge the quality of a player by comparing him, or her, to Shelby. Not many compare. I saw him in tournament games those two years they won the state. Paul Walker was their coach, he himself is a legend, and a good friend of my brother. The Middletown Middies, Shelby was a member of one of their great eras, as was Jerry Lucas
Shelby E. Linville
(November 8, 1929 – August 5, 2008)
An American basketball player and educator best known for his college career at the
University of Kentucky.
Linville was born in Dayton, Kentucky and moved to Middletown, Ohio at 15.
He starred at Middletown High School, where he led the team to two state championships
Following his standout college career, Linville first attended Miami University, then transferred to Kentucky to play for Adolph Rupp. Linville played three seasons at Kentucky, the best of which was his junior campaign where he averaged 10.4 points per game and helped lead the 1950–51 Wildcats to the 1951 National Championship. Linville had a strong NCAA tournament showing, making the
All-Final Four team alongside teammate Bill Spivey
After graduating in 1952, Linville became a high school teacher, coach and administrator.
He was also a Baptist minister.
Linville died on August 5, 2008
Legendary Coach Paul Walker on the left, Shelby is the third one down
I see a lot of Shelby's qualities in Elena Della Donne
