The Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation will host our 15th Annual Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, KY with a virtual viewing option also. This event not only recognizes the best current and past high school basketball players from across the state, but also serves as a fundraiser for the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation.

In 2025 the event raised nearly $30,000 to support our mission to provide vision services through education, detection, prevention, treatment and empowerment. Through collaborative partnerships, we enable greater independence and increased quality of life for all Kentuckians while focusing on children and adults in financial need. KLEF is committed to filling the gaps that exist for many Kentuckians by providing affordable access to vision services, and our reach extends across the Commonwealth.

On average, our volunteers provide nearly 40,000 free vision screenings to children and adults each year and because of our screenings, thousands of vision impairments have been detected and treated.  

Since 1954, the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation has announced Mr. Kentucky Basketball and has announced Miss Kentucky Basketball since 1976. The announcements were previously released to the media with no formal ceremony to present players with an award. In 2012, KLEF held the first official Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Awards Ceremony, and the 2026 event will mark the 15th consecutive year for hosting the Awards Ceremony. 

THANK YOU!