Louisville, Ky. — Ralph Beard left the University of Kentucky's basketball program having won national championships in 1948 and '49 and with a reputation as one of the all-time greats on the hardwood.

Beard's promising professional basketball career only lasted two years, though, brought down in a point-shaving scandal that saw him and several of his former teammates barred from the NBA for life.

Beard, 79, died Thursday at his home in Louisville after a series of illnesses in recent years, said his son, Scott.