Former UK Guard Sparks Briefly Mentioned in ‘American Sniper’

It's the most talked-about movie in the country, and I finally got to see it. No matter how you feel about the military, American Sniper is a one-of-a-kind movie experience. It's raw, visceral, and powerful. I loved it. What I didn't expect was how quiet the theater was during and after. It was so quiet, a name caught my attention in one key scene, and yes it involves Kentucky basketball.

Not to spoil too much, but Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is in a bar having a beer and there's a ballgame on the TV. Aside from the other noise in the scene, which is void of dialogue until Kyle answers his cell phone, all you hear is the TV. That's when I heard the phrase "...Sparks has seven points..." And I'm like no way. I look up, and it's indeed a UK game and there's a South Carolina player at the free throw line.

Patrick Sparks was a standout in high school (Muhlenberg North), and in college at both Western Kentucky and Kentucky. He's flat out one of the best shooting guards I've ever seen. Since graduating, Sparks has spent the past few years playing in Europe.