MCBB
HomeScoresBracketologyRecruitingHighlights
Featured Video
🚨 Pistons Overcome 3-1 Deficit
NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20:  Actress Ashley Judd cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New Orle
NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20: Actress Ashley Judd cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New OrleChris Graythen/Getty Images

Kentucky's Ashley Judd and 20 Dedicated Celebrity Fans in College Basketball

Mike HendersonDec 30, 2010

Being a celebrity has perks.

Number one, season tickets to your alma mater or favorite college team's home games are affordable. Number two, the majority of people there, while they know who you are, are concerned with the only really important thing and that is that you are rooting for the right team. And, finally, there is always some bonus face time available for you. Ask Ashley Judd.

Here is a look at some contenders (and maybe a pretender or two) for the most dedicated celebrity college basketball fans. Many of these have school allegiances and tend to root for all teams in all sports but most are truly fans of the college basketball game.

Bill Cosby

1 of 20
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MARCH 25:  Actor and comedian Bill Cosby visits with members of the St. Joseph's Hawks band during their third round game of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Continental Airline
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MARCH 25: Actor and comedian Bill Cosby visits with members of the St. Joseph's Hawks band during their third round game of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Continental Airline

What's this? Cosby wearing a Hawks shirt? (Yes, this is a dated photo.) This in spite of his loyalty to Philly Five rival Temple.

Bill Cosby was a very good athlete in his time and continues to follow all sports including the college hoops.

Matthew McConaughey

2 of 20
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 15:  Actor Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves watch the New Orleans Hornets take on the Sacramento Kings on December 15, 2010 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 15: Actor Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves watch the New Orleans Hornets take on the Sacramento Kings on December 15, 2010 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Matthew McConaughey makes no secret about his passion for the Texas Longhorns, both on the gridiron and the hardwood.

Despite something much better to look at immediately to his right, McConaughey is showing the intensity he usually brings to college games. Frank Martin would be proud.

Tom Arnold

3 of 20
google images
google images

Okay, so Tom Arnold doesn't have that Academy Award (Yet!) but he has somehow made a name for himself in showbiz.

Born in Ottumwa, Iowa (home of Radar O'Reilly), Arnold is a graduate of Iowa University.

His love for the Hawkeyes, even in some troubling times, is evident.

TOP NEWS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: FEB 13 2026 Grind Session Los Angeles
Golden State Warriors v Phoenix Suns - Play-In Tournament

Nick Lachey

4 of 20
NEW YORK - MARCH 10:  Singer Nick Lachey attends the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2010 in New York City.  (Photo by Jim McI
NEW YORK - MARCH 10: Singer Nick Lachey attends the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McI

Lachey loves everything that is Bearcat and is often seen courtside, hands clasped, wincing. Maybe not this year though, as Cincinnati is off to a 13-0 start. 

Despite being born in Harlan, Kentucky (gasp), and attending Miami of Ohio, Lachey's allegiance to another Ohio school is solid.

John Mellencamp

5 of 20
google images
google images

A little ditty about the man. He regularly attends Indiana Hoosier football and basketball games. The indoor practice and training facility at Indiana is, in fact, named the Mellencamp Pavillion.

This guy really does care about the Midwest.

David Letterman

6 of 20
google images
google images

One of the few known people, celebrity or otherwise, who continues to cheer for Ball State in every sport. Hey, the women's basketball team isn't bad.

John Edwards

7 of 20
google images
google images

When he was allowed out,  Democratic vice presidential nominee (2004) John Edwards would root for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

He served a six-year term as Senator of North Carolina before his nomination. Rumour has it he used his position to score tickets to Tar Heel games. A politician would do this? No way.

Snoop Dogg

8 of 20
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 09:  Rapper Snoop Dogg arrives at the Midsummer Night's Dream Celebrity Basketball Game at the Staples Center on July 9, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 09: Rapper Snoop Dogg arrives at the Midsummer Night's Dream Celebrity Basketball Game at the Staples Center on July 9, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Everything that's USC is cool for Snoop Dogg.

Not only does he enjoy the sports (basketball and football) as a fan, he routinely organizes charity games to raise funds for organizations such as the Save a Life Foundation at his former high school.

Michael Wilbon

9 of 20
DETROIT - FEBRUARY 3:  Sports writer and co-host of ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' Michael Wilbon arrives for the ESPN The Magazine Next Party during Super Bowl XL weekend February 3, 2006 at the Colony Club in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Evan Agostin
DETROIT - FEBRUARY 3: Sports writer and co-host of ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' Michael Wilbon arrives for the ESPN The Magazine Next Party during Super Bowl XL weekend February 3, 2006 at the Colony Club in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Evan Agostin

The only saving grace of PTI, Wilbon embraces Northwestern University athletics and generally supports all Chicago-area teams.

His job as a sports analyst doesn't diminish his passion for the games themselves.

Aubrey Graham (aka Drake)

10 of 20

The former actor, current rapper and sometimes singer is a big Kentucky Wildcats fan.

He made his first appearance at Big Blue Madness last season at Rupp and was hooked. He says he's very close with Coach Cal. The Coach has a very diverse and interesting entourage.

John Daly

11 of 20
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 21: John Daly acknowledges the crowd after sinking his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on October 21, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 21: John Daly acknowledges the crowd after sinking his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on October 21, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty

You would bet (and John would too I'm sure) that Daly was a Tennessee fan based solely on his attire.

However, he is apparently another of Calipari's buds, forging a friendship when Cal was in Memphis when Daly was living there. Which, by association, makes him a Kentucky fan.

I'm not sure if he is a fan of the game or a fan of the man.

Condoleezza Rice

12 of 20
WASHINGTON - MARCH 8:  US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends a Georgetown Hoyas basketball game against the Louisville Cardinals at Verizon Center on March 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - MARCH 8: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends a Georgetown Hoyas basketball game against the Louisville Cardinals at Verizon Center on March 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

It's hard to pinpoint the Secretary of State's true loyalty, at least in college hoops.

A graduate of Denver University, she received her master's degree at Notre Dame before moving on to Stanford as first an assistant and then an associate professor of political science.

Though seen here with a Hoyas shirt, rumour has it that Stanford is the one she wears on her sleeve.

Alex Rodriguez

13 of 20
NEW YORK - AUGUST 04:  Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees speaks to the media after hitting his 600th career home run. Rodriguez hit a first inning two run home run against pitcher Shaun Marcum of the Toronto Blue Jays on August 4, 2010 at Yankee
NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees speaks to the media after hitting his 600th career home run. Rodriguez hit a first inning two run home run against pitcher Shaun Marcum of the Toronto Blue Jays on August 4, 2010 at Yankee

Playing for the New York Yankees, A-Rod understands what expectations are all about, so it is not surprising his college hoops favorite is Duke.

Apparently, this started shortly after he played minor league baseball with Trajan Langdon, who later became a standout with the Blue Devils.

Bill Murray

14 of 20
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11:  Actor Bill Murray is seen during the Quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA defeated Arizona 75-6
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Actor Bill Murray is seen during the Quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA defeated Arizona 75-6

Bill Murray has followed a number of teams very closely as a college basketball fan.

While he is said to be a big Quinnipiac fan, Murray has followed Arizona and now Wagner in the past two seasons. 

The reason? His son Luke was a graduate assistant with the Wildcats and is now a full assistant at Wagner.

Vince Gill

15 of 20
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21:  Country music star Vince Gill watches the game between the Siena Saints and the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at the St. Pete Times Forum March 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Country music star Vince Gill watches the game between the Siena Saints and the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at the St. Pete Times Forum March 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.

The Belmont Bruins biggest fan, country star Vince Gill, can be seen regularly behind coach Rick Byrd's bench, howling at referees and cheering for his team.

He and Byrd met a while back and are golfing buddies as well.

Denzel Washington

16 of 20
LOS ANGELES - MAY 4:   Actor Denzel Washington attends the Los Angeles Lakers-Phoenix Suns playoff game on May 4, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/ Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MAY 4: Actor Denzel Washington attends the Los Angeles Lakers-Phoenix Suns playoff game on May 4, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/ Getty Images)

Washington is not only a college hoops' fan, he is a former player, having played under P.J. Carlesimo at Fordham for one season.

He currently follows the game vicariously, through son Malcolm, who plays for the University of Pennsylvania.

Ashton Kutcher

17 of 20
IOWA CITY, IA - DECEMBER 12: Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson (R) and actor Ashton Kutcher are honored during halftime of the Iowa-Iowa State college basketball game on December 12, 2008 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Johnson and Kutcher, bot
IOWA CITY, IA - DECEMBER 12: Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson (R) and actor Ashton Kutcher are honored during halftime of the Iowa-Iowa State college basketball game on December 12, 2008 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Johnson and Kutcher, bot

Ashton Kutcher is a noted Iowa Hawkeye fan. 

He and Demi Moore came under some scrutiny for talking to potential recruits at a football game. At this point in time, coach Fran McCaffery is thinking, "whatever works."

Barack Obama

18 of 20
WASHINGTON - MAY 27:  U.S. President Barack Obama (R) is presented with a plaque of a bracket by coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) of the Duke Blue Devils during a Rose Garden event May 27, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the NCAA men bask
WASHINGTON - MAY 27: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) is presented with a plaque of a bracket by coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) of the Duke Blue Devils during a Rose Garden event May 27, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the NCAA men bask

Holding up yet another perfect bracket from the Oval Office pool, Barack Obama proudly tells Coach K that he knew it all along.

Seriously, though, the President is a true fan and has connections in the college game as well. Brother-in-law Craig Robinson coaches the Oregon State Beavers.

Bill Clinton

19 of 20
NEW YORK - MARCH 11:  Former President William Jefferson Clinton attends the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinal of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2010 in
NEW YORK - MARCH 11: Former President William Jefferson Clinton attends the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinal of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2010 in

This former President has long been a college basketball fan. 

The Syracuse Orange are Bill Clinton's team, and he often tries (in vain most often) to catch games, particularly during the Big East tournament.

Ashley Judd

20 of 20
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13:  Actress Ashley Judd cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats against the Tennessee Volunteers during the semirfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by A
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Actress Ashley Judd cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats against the Tennessee Volunteers during the semirfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by A

Without question, Ashley Judd has the highest profile during Kentucky games of any "celebrity."

She has cooked for the team, covered the NCAA tournament for a local Kentucky paper and has been seen at virtually every big game at Rupp Arena.

Judd attended UK from 1986-1990 but left one credit shy of graduating. She did however, finish her degree in 2007.

🚨 Pistons Overcome 3-1 Deficit

TOP NEWS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: FEB 13 2026 Grind Session Los Angeles
Golden State Warriors v Phoenix Suns - Play-In Tournament
Cowboys Giants Football
MLB: APR 20 Rays at Yankees

TRENDING ON B/R