Kenny Sailors

Kenny Sailors

University of Wyoming Arena-Auditorium, East Entrance
18′ Bronze

Kenny Sailors is a legendary basketball player best known as the inventor of the jump shot.  The piece was commissioned as part of Phase II of the renovation of the University of Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium. The new Grand Entryway now welcomes fans on the east side of the Arena-Auditorium. Cast in bronze and weighing 2 tons, Jay’s sculpture depicts Sailors taking the jump shot he is credited with inventing.

Jay had the pleasure of meeting Kenny Sailors when he was working on the piece and got to spend some time with him. In addition, Sailors gave him valuable input on the nuances of the positioning of his hands on the ball for the sculpture.

The Sailors Gallery is part of that new Grand Entryway, honoring the many accomplishments of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee. In addition to being recognized as the developer of the modern-day jump shot, Sailors led Wyoming to the 1943 NCAA Championship, was a two-time All-American in 1943 and ’46. Sailors passed away on Jan. 30, 2016, at the age of 95.  Sailors’ granddaughter, Wendy Sailors, and her daughter attended the unveiling of Warren’s statue on Nov. 3, 2017.

A movie about Kenny Sailors just premiered at SXSW. Jay had the privilege of a sneak peek of the movie at the statue unveiling and highly recommends it.