Darrell Griffith

American college basketball guard who led Louisville to the 1980 NCAA Championship and earned the Naismith Award as college basketball's top player.

Darrell Steven Griffith was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1958. He attended the University of Louisville under coach Denny Crum and won the national championship in 1980. He was named both the national player of the year (Naismith Award) and the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He earned the nickname Dr. Dunkenstein for his extraordinary leaping ability and spectacular dunk artistry. He averaged 18.5 points per game across four seasons. His combination of athleticism — his vertical leap was considered one of the highest in college basketball history — with scoring ability and the leadership that brought Louisville to a championship made him the complete package. Utah Jazz selected him second overall in the 1980 NBA Draft. His professional career produced the NBA's Three-Point Contest title in 1986 and a decade of consistent scoring. His Louisville career — four years culminating in a championship and the national player of the year award — remains the most decorated in Cardinals history alongside Pervis Ellison's freshman championship.

Griffith was renowned for his extraordinary athleticism and vertical leap, reportedly reaching 48 inches, which made him a spectacular dunker and effective rebounder despite being a guard. He possessed excellent scoring ability from both inside and outside, combining his athletic gifts with solid basketball fundamentals and court vision.

Griffith's high-flying style and dunking ability helped popularize the athletic, above-the-rim style of play that became increasingly prominent in college basketball during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

• National Championship (1980)
• Naismith Award (1980)
• Tournament MOP (1980)
• Consensus All-American