Former Kentucky basketball star and Corbin native Jerry Bird passed away Sunday morning at the age of 83 of natural causes.

Bird played at UK from 1953-56. During his career at Kentucky, he earned All-SEC honors in his junior season. He appeared in 52 games during his tenure at Kentucky, shooting 40 percent from the field and averaging 15 points per game. He racked up 699 points in his career at Kentucky.

Bird was drafted in 1956 by the Minneapolis Lakers 18th overall and was later traded to the New York Knicks that same year. He appeared in 11 games in his entire NBA career.

His jersey, No. 22, is retired and hanging at Rupp Arena.