Jim Master
Encyclopedia
Jim Master was a basketball
player who played collegiately for the Kentucky Wildcats
.
community during his high school years, and he attended Paul Harding High School
as a junior and senior and played for the Hawks.
During his junior year, Master led the Hawks to the school’s first ever Indiana state tournament wins at the sectional and regional levels.
As a senior, Master set SAC
records for most points scored in a season. His outstanding year was acknowledged when he was awarded the 1980 Indiana Mr. Basketball award
.
His high school coach, Harlan Frick, is on record saying he believes Master is the finest shooting guard ever to play in Fort Wayne.
on a basketball scholarship. He was part of the 1980 recruiting class that included Melvin Turpin
, Bret Bearup, and Dickie Beal. This group was considered by PrepSports.com as the best recruiting class in the nation. It was also rated by one as the eighth-best Wildcat recruiting class of all time. Master was seen as the best outside shooter in the country. Besides Kentucky, Master was reported as being recruited by Notre Dame
His four years as a Wildcat turned out to be some of the richest years in their noted basketball history. The 1980/81 season ended with two players named as all-SEC selections (a first-team and a third-team). The 1981/82 season ended with four players (including Master) named as all-SEC selections (a first-team, a second-team and two third-teams). The 1982/83 season ended with four players (including Master) named as all-SEC selections (a first-team and three third-teams). And the 1983/84 season ended with three players named as all-SEC selections (a first-team, a second-team and a third-teams).
Master and his Wildcat teammates translated their talent to wins and lofty national rankings. The 1980/81 team finished the season 22-6 and ranked 8th best nationally in both the [AP] and [UPI] polls. The team played in the NCAA tournament as a #2 seed.
The 1981/82 team finished the season 22-8 and ranked 15th best nationally in the AP poll. The team was a SEC
regular-season co-champion, and they played in the NCAA tournament as a #6 seed.
The 1982/83 team finished the season 23-8 and ranked 12th in the AP poll and 10th in the UPI version. The team was the SEC
regular-season champion, and they reached the NCAA Regional Finals
from a #3 seed.
The 1983/84 team finished the season 29-5 and ranked 3rd in both polls. The team was SEC
regular-season and tournament champions, and they reached the NCAA Final Four
from a #1 seed.
The talent on each of these Wildcat teams meant Master had a successful career that did not translate into lofty personal statistics. For his career, Master averaged 10.6 points, 2.10 assists, and 1.73 rebounds per game. But his value to the team was demonstrated by his playing time that averaged 28.7 minutes per game over his career and 31.4 minutes after his freshman year.
As testimony to his keen shooting eye, Master is currently 11th best all-time on the SEC
record list for single-season free-throw shooting percentage (.896), and he is tied for 8th best all-time for career free-throw shooting percentage (.849) Those statistics rank Master 8th best and 4th best, respectively, all-time in Kentucky history.
to be drafted in the 1984 NBA Draft
. Melvin Turpin
and Sam Bowie
were 1st round selections and went on to play in the NBA for several seasons. Dickie Beal, Tom Heitz, and Master were drafted in later rounds, but none would play in a single NBA game.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who played collegiately for the Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
.
High school
Master’s family moved to the Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
community during his high school years, and he attended Paul Harding High School
Paul Harding High School
Paul Harding High School was a public high school located on the southeast side of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Harding was part of the East Allen County Schools system located in Allen County, Indiana.- Closure and Reorganization :...
as a junior and senior and played for the Hawks.
During his junior year, Master led the Hawks to the school’s first ever Indiana state tournament wins at the sectional and regional levels.
As a senior, Master set SAC
Summit Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The SAC is a high school athletic conference consisting of the eight high schools located area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Three of the schools are private, one being a Lutheran academy, and the other two being Catholic preparatories. The rest are public schools, being part of Fort Wayne Community...
records for most points scored in a season. His outstanding year was acknowledged when he was awarded the 1980 Indiana Mr. Basketball award
Indiana Mr. Basketball award
The Indiana Mr. Basketball honor recognizes the top high school basketball player in the state of Indiana. The award is presented annually by The Indianapolis Star. The first Indiana Mr...
.
His high school coach, Harlan Frick, is on record saying he believes Master is the finest shooting guard ever to play in Fort Wayne.
- High School Honors and Accomplishments
- 1980 Indiana Mr. Basketball awardIndiana Mr. Basketball awardThe Indiana Mr. Basketball honor recognizes the top high school basketball player in the state of Indiana. The award is presented annually by The Indianapolis Star. The first Indiana Mr...
- 1980 2nd team Parade All-American
- 1980 McDonald’s All-American
- 1980 Indiana Mr. Basketball award
College
Master attended the University of KentuckyKentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
on a basketball scholarship. He was part of the 1980 recruiting class that included Melvin Turpin
Melvin Turpin
Melvin Harrison "Mel" Turpin was an American professional basketball player.-Basketball career:A 6'11" center, Turpin was born in Lexington, Kentucky and attended Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia from 1979–80...
, Bret Bearup, and Dickie Beal. This group was considered by PrepSports.com as the best recruiting class in the nation. It was also rated by one as the eighth-best Wildcat recruiting class of all time. Master was seen as the best outside shooter in the country. Besides Kentucky, Master was reported as being recruited by Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
His four years as a Wildcat turned out to be some of the richest years in their noted basketball history. The 1980/81 season ended with two players named as all-SEC selections (a first-team and a third-team). The 1981/82 season ended with four players (including Master) named as all-SEC selections (a first-team, a second-team and two third-teams). The 1982/83 season ended with four players (including Master) named as all-SEC selections (a first-team and three third-teams). And the 1983/84 season ended with three players named as all-SEC selections (a first-team, a second-team and a third-teams).
Master and his Wildcat teammates translated their talent to wins and lofty national rankings. The 1980/81 team finished the season 22-6 and ranked 8th best nationally in both the [AP] and [UPI] polls. The team played in the NCAA tournament as a #2 seed.
The 1981/82 team finished the season 22-8 and ranked 15th best nationally in the AP poll. The team was a SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
regular-season co-champion, and they played in the NCAA tournament as a #6 seed.
The 1982/83 team finished the season 23-8 and ranked 12th in the AP poll and 10th in the UPI version. The team was the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
regular-season champion, and they reached the NCAA Regional Finals
Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...
from a #3 seed.
The 1983/84 team finished the season 29-5 and ranked 3rd in both polls. The team was SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
regular-season and tournament champions, and they reached the NCAA Final Four
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
from a #1 seed.
The talent on each of these Wildcat teams meant Master had a successful career that did not translate into lofty personal statistics. For his career, Master averaged 10.6 points, 2.10 assists, and 1.73 rebounds per game. But his value to the team was demonstrated by his playing time that averaged 28.7 minutes per game over his career and 31.4 minutes after his freshman year.
As testimony to his keen shooting eye, Master is currently 11th best all-time on the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
record list for single-season free-throw shooting percentage (.896), and he is tied for 8th best all-time for career free-throw shooting percentage (.849) Those statistics rank Master 8th best and 4th best, respectively, all-time in Kentucky history.
- College Honors and Accomplishments
- 1981/82 3rd team UPI All-SEC
- 1982/83 3rd team AP, UPI All-SEC
- 1982/83 All-NCAA Regional team
- member of gold-medal team, 1983 Pan American Games
Professional
Master was one of five Kentucky WildcatsKentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
to be drafted in the 1984 NBA Draft
1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
. Melvin Turpin
Melvin Turpin
Melvin Harrison "Mel" Turpin was an American professional basketball player.-Basketball career:A 6'11" center, Turpin was born in Lexington, Kentucky and attended Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia from 1979–80...
and Sam Bowie
Sam Bowie
Samuel Paul "Sam" Bowie is a retired American basketball player. A national sensation in high school and outstanding collegian, Bowie's professional promise was undermined by repeated injury...
were 1st round selections and went on to play in the NBA for several seasons. Dickie Beal, Tom Heitz, and Master were drafted in later rounds, but none would play in a single NBA game.