Beard, point-shaving scandal figure, dies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ralph Beard left the University of Kentucky’s basketball program having won national championships in 1948 and ‘49 and with a reputation as one of the all-time greats on the hardwood.

Beard’s promising professional basketball career only lasted two years, though, brought down in a point-shaving scandal that saw him and several of his former college teammates barred from the NBA for life.

Beard, 79, died Thursday at his home in Louisville after a series of illnesses in recent years. Beard was a three-time All-American guard in the 1940s when Kentucky was beginning an ascent to college basketball’s top tier under coach Adolph Rupp. A speedy, 5-foot-10 guard, Beard was among Rupp’s famed “Fabulous Five,” along with Alex Groza, Jones, Cliff Barker and Kenny Rollins.

Before the start of the 1952 season, Beard and Groza were among several players involved in a point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball. They received suspended sentences from a judge, but were banned from the NBA.

Beard admitted to taking about $700 but repeatedly denied shaving points.

Also on Thursday, Tommy Kron, a starter on Kentucky’s “Rupp’s Runts” team in the 1960s, died at home after a battle with cancer, the school announced. He was 64.