Scotland’s basketball community mourns the passing of Scottish basketball legend Ken Johnston

basketballscotland is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ken Johnston, a true legend of Scottish basketball. Ken was at the helm of the Scotland Senior Men’s National Team during their golden era, guiding the team to victory in the Four Countries Tournament in 1969, 1971, and 1975. His leadership, passion, and tactical brilliance left a lasting mark on the sport in Scotland.  

Under Ken’s leadership, the Scotland Senior Men’s National Team flourished, and to this day, he holds the record for the most wins by any Scotland coach. 

However, Ken’s contribution to basketball started long before those victories. He represented Scotland from 1955 until 1965 and was appointed National Coach and Administrator by the Executive Committee of the Amateur Basketball Association in July 1965.  

From there, he continued to serve the Scottish Basketball Association (now known as basketballscotland) as National Coach and Technical Director until 1995, becoming the Association’s first-ever employee. His outreach work in the early days played a pivotal role in establishing and growing the sport across Scotland. 

Ken’s impact wasn’t limited to Scotland. He was a member of the Great Britain Basketball Team in 1960 and served as Team Manager in 1964. He also coached the Great Britain Basketball Team in 1968 and 1972, making him the only Scot to have held the position of Head Coach for the Great Britain Senior Men’s team. 

Ken’s contributions to the game were formally recognised in 2024 when he was inducted into the Scottish Basketball Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication to the game. Upon learning of his induction, Ken reflected, “It’s safe to say that basketball has been an integral part of my life, as a player, official, administrator and coach. It has been quite a journey filled with highs and lows and has led to many great friendships. Being part of the Hall of Fame is an incredible honour.” 

On behalf of basketballscotland, CEO, Kevin Pringle shared, “Ken Johnston’s impact on Scottish basketball is immeasurable. His achievements as a player, coach and administrator speak for themselves, but it was his passion for the game and his ability to connect with people that truly set him apart. He will be deeply missed by everyone in the basketball community.” 

Ken will be remembered not only for his impressive record and accomplishments but also for his unwavering dedication to the sport he loved. His loss will be deeply felt by the basketball community, friends, and family.