With the New York Knicks facing the Indiana Pacers in the East and the Oklahoma City Thunder battling the Minnesota Timberwolves in the West, these schools feature a combined 10 players in the final four teams.
Kentucky, Villanova, and Gonzaga Making Massive NBA Impact in 2025 Conference Finals
Kentucky have three players in the 2025 Conference Finals. Under coaches like John Calipari and now Mark Pope, the Wildcats have churned out 36 first-round picks since 2010, more than any other program.
In the East, the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton averages 20.1 points and 8.7 assists, leading their attack. Karl-Anthony Towns powers the Knicks with 23.0 points and 10.8 rebounds, while Julius Randle drives the Timberwolves with 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.
Making an impact in the league 💪
Three schools are being represented with 3+ players in the conference finals 🤩 pic.twitter.com/D3ApW3QtwC
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 20, 2025
On the other hand, Villanova, with four players in the Conference Finals, thrives under Jay Wright’s championship blueprint, even after his 2022 retirement. The Wildcats’ 2016 and 2018 NCAA titles showcased their ability to raise NBA-ready talent.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ linchpin, averages 28.8 points and 7.7 assists in the playoffs, earning the title of the Heart of New York.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart complement Brunson, with Bridges averaging 15.4 points and Hart’s 9.4 rebounds per game pushing the team further. Donte DiVincenzo, another 2018 champion, contributes 11.2 points off the Knicks’ bench. With a 38.6% three-point shooting rate among its alumni in the playoffs, Villanova’s potential shines bright.
Lastly, Gonzaga, a mid-major elite, matches Villanova’s impact with three players in the Conference Finals. Under Mark Few’s 26-year tenure, the Bulldogs have sent 15 players to the NBA since 2017. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City’s 7-foot-1 unicorn, averages 15.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the playoffs, thriving after a 2024 pelvic fracture.
Andrew Nembhard, the Pacers’ steady point guard, delivered a 23-point, 13-assist double-double against Cleveland, flexing his 45.8% field-goal accuracy. Anton Watson, a Knicks rookie on a two-way contract, has seen limited action but showed defensive potential during his five-year Gonzaga stint.
Kentucky, Villanova, and Gonzaga are shaping the NBA’s future. Kentucky’s volume, with 11 alumni across the 2025 playoffs, shows how much authority and recruiting instinct they possess. Villanova’s quartet embodies Big East dominance, while Gonzaga’s trio proves mid-majors can compete on the biggest stage.
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As the Conference Finals unfold, we expect Haliburton’s playmaking, Brunson’s scoring, and Holmgren’s rim protection to dictate outcomes. These programs’ fingerprints will likely decide who hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
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