**“HOMETOWN HERO IMMORTALIZED: Marion County’s Makayla Epps Earns Spot in UK Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 After Legendary Wildcats Career”**
Makayla Epps’ journey from the heart of Marion County to the rafters of the University of Kentucky’s athletic immortality is a tale etched in determination, legacy, and the fierce pride of a homegrown athlete who never forgot where she came from. With her recent induction into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025, Epps has cemented her place not only among the legends of Kentucky basketball but also in the hearts of fans who witnessed her growth from a high school phenom to one of the most dominant and beloved guards in program history.
The announcement came as part of the 2025 UK Athletics Hall of Fame class, a lineup that reads like a who’s who of Kentucky greatness. Joining Epps are powerhouse names like Abbey Cheek-Ramsey of softball fame, multi-sport talent and broadcaster Doug Flynn, tennis standout Sonia Hahn, football star Josh Hines-Allen, and NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. It’s an elite class, but Makayla’s presence feels like a crowning moment for not just herself but for Marion County, a small community whose pride now beams through the gates of UK’s legendary athletic halls.
A 2013 graduate of Marion County High School, Epps arrived in Lexington with more than just promise. She brought with her the legacy of a basketball family — being the daughter of former Kentucky men’s basketball great Anthony Epps, a starting point guard on UK’s 1996 national championship team. But from the start, Makayla made it clear that she was forging her own path, one that would soon stand tall beside the very legacy she was born into. Her high school career was nothing short of dominant. She led her team to a perfect 39-0 season in 2013, capping it with a KHSAA state championship, and earned the prestigious title of Kentucky Miss Basketball that same year. Those who watched her then knew the fireworks were only beginning.
When she arrived at Kentucky, the expectations were immense. Following in the footsteps of not only her father but also an elite lineage of women’s basketball stars, Makayla quickly distinguished herself with a fearless playing style, elite court vision, and a competitive fire that burned through every minute she was on the floor. By the time her college career concluded in 2017, she had authored one of the most prolific stat lines in program history. Her name is scattered across the UK women’s basketball record books: sixth all-time in scoring with 1,790 career points, sixth in field goals made with 668, and eighth in total assists with 408. These are not merely numbers; they are proof of sustained excellence, consistency, and leadership.
But perhaps what truly separated Makayla Epps from her peers was her ability to rise in the biggest moments. She was a clutch performer who thrived under pressure. She scored in every way imaginable—slashing through defenders, pulling up from midrange, or knocking down a three in a tight game. In one legendary performance against Morehead State, Epps recorded one of the program’s only two triple-doubles, tallying 21 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. That rare feat wasn’t just a statistical anomaly; it was a showcase of her all-around brilliance and basketball IQ. She did it all because she could do it all.
The game that perhaps best encapsulates her offensive explosiveness came when she dropped 42 points in Memorial Coliseum, tying the record for most points scored in that historic venue. At the time, it was the 10th-highest single-game scoring total in NCAA history. That performance wasn’t just a highlight; it was a stamp of greatness, the kind of moment that becomes legend. It was also a night that redefined what was possible for Kentucky women’s basketball and for young girls across the state watching someone who looked like them, came from where they came from, and dominated on the biggest stage.
Beyond the stats and accolades, Makayla’s leadership on and off the court set the tone for a team that saw consistent success during her tenure. Over four seasons, she helped guide the Wildcats to a 97-38 overall record, a testament to her impact as a floor general and a tone-setter. Kentucky made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during that time, making deep runs and earning national respect along the way. She wasn’t just a scorer or playmaker—she was the emotional heartbeat of a program that often fed off her passion and competitive drive.
Her honors reflect the respect she commanded nationwide. Epps was a three-time first-team All-SEC selection, showing her dominance in what is often considered the toughest conference in women’s college basketball. In 2016, she was named a first-team All-American by College Sports Madness, and she earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press for three consecutive seasons. These recognitions are given to the best of the best, and Epps more than deserved her place among them.
After graduating, Epps took her talents to the professional level and played one season in the WNBA. Though her professional career was brief, her presence on that stage reaffirmed her status as one of the elite players to emerge from Kentucky in the last decade. Her legacy, however, was never going to be measured strictly in pro stats. It lived in the echoes of Memorial Coliseum, in the hearts of fans who wore her jersey, and in the dreams of young athletes from small Kentucky towns who saw her and believed they could follow in her footsteps.
Makayla’s journey also represents something deeply cultural and generational for Kentucky basketball fans. She bridged the past and the future. She carried on the Epps family legacy while also inspiring the next generation of Wildcat women who would wear the blue and white with pride. Her charisma, humility, and authenticity made her not just a fan favorite but a symbol of what Kentucky basketball is all about—heart, hustle, and homegrown pride.
The formal induction will take place during Hall of Fame Weekend, scheduled for September 12-13 in Lexington. When Makayla Epps steps onto the stage to accept her place among UK Athletics’ all-time greats, it will be more than a personal honor. It will be a community celebration. Marion County will undoubtedly stand a little taller that weekend, proud of the girl who put their town on the map and showed what was possible with hard work and belief. For her former coaches, teammates, family, and fans, it will be a powerful reminder that legends don’t always come from big cities or elite prep schools—sometimes they come from down the road, carrying their community with them every step of the way.
The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. In an era where college athletics are ever-changing, and the definition of greatness sometimes shifts with every season, Makayla Epps stands as a timeless figure. Her career was not built on hype or flash-in-the-pan moments but on sustained excellence, unmatched competitiveness, and a love for her school and state that poured out in every performance. She wore Kentucky across her chest, but she carried Marion County in her heart. That dual identity—Wildcat and hometown hero—is what makes this Hall of Fame nod feel so right.
As the University of Kentucky prepares to honor its 2025 Hall of Fame class, fans across the Commonwealth and beyond will reflect on the contributions of all six inductees. But there’s something uniquely emotional and resonant about Makayla Epps’ story. She is not just being celebrated for what she did on the court, but for who she has always been off of it—a role model, a trailblazer, and an ambassador for Kentucky basketball.
In the years to come, future Wildcats will pass by her Hall of Fame plaque and learn about her stats, her awards, and her iconic moments. But what will stick with them most is the story of a young woman from Marion County who chased her dream, honored her roots, and gave everything she had to the game and the people she loved. Makayla Epps is now forever a part of Kentucky basketball’s rich history, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
