University of Kentucky basketball standout Maci Morris will be the guest speaker at Middlesboro-Bell County Public Library on May 31.

Morris -- a former Bell County High School star who was chosen Kentucky's 2015 Miss Basketball -- will speak to young people (primarily up to age 13), helping the library kick off its 2016 Summer Reading Program in Middlesboro. The event will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. She will share her stories and experiences as a student-athlete as well as signing autographs.

Now a sophomore, Morris finished her freshman year on a high note as the 6-0 guard helped the Wildcats post a 25-8 record with a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament. Morris started all of UK’s 33 games and averaged 8.5 points. She was named to SEC’s All-Freshman team.

Also joining Morris at the Summer Reading Program on May 31 will be author and longtime sports columnist Jamie H. Vaught. He will also share his experiences as a sportswriter as well as his photos at UK football and basketball games. He also has written four popular books about UK basketball, including "Crazy About The Cats: From Rupp To Pitino" (published in 1991). A professor at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro, Vaught is the editor of growing KySportsStyle.com magazine and writes columns for several media outlets in Kentucky.

Registration for the free Summer Reading Program, which consists of several fun events through July 14, will continue until May 27. For more information, you may call the Middlesboro-Bell County Public Library at 606-248-4812 and ask for Caitlin Jeffrey or visit the library in downtown Middlesboro.

Photo by Michael Huang