When college basketball fans talk about historic programs that are also successful, Kentucky has to be mentioned. All-time, Kentucky has the second most national championships at eight. They last won the National Championship in 2012, led by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. In addition, they are second in all-time tournament wins with 132.
With a lot of success, including National Championships and deep March Madness wins, Kentucky does a great job of recruiting top-tier talent and getting them to the NBA at the next level. Currently, there are 32 former Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA. However, all-time there are 137 former Wildcats who have played in the NBA.
The Most Accomplished Kentucky Alum
Out of all 137 former Wildcats to make it to the NBA, Anthony Davis is the most accomplished by far. The former first overall pick in 2012 is a 10x All-Star, three-time block champion, five-time All-NBA Player, five-time All-Defensive Team, 2020 NBA Champion, and many other accolades. Even to this day, Davis has been phenomenal and playing at an elite level, as he averaged 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds this past season.
Davis has dealt with some significant injuries throughout his career. However, he always comes back stronger and continues to play at an elite level. The future Hall of Famer is also a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
The Best Kentucky Alum Currently
As good as Davis is, there is currently an even better former Kentucky Wildcat. That honor goes to the recently named MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, and also won the scoring title this past season.
This season, he averaged 32.7 points, five rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He has been a crucial part in getting his team to the Western Conference Finals. They are just one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander is slowly but surely already building a Hall-of-Fame resume at just 26 years old.
Best Point Guard In The NBA That Played At Kentucky All-Time
This was tough due to how many elite guards Kentucky has produced throughout the years, and what you look for in a point guard. If you value playmaking more, Rajon Rondo is the obvious choice as he was one of the best playmaking point guards and a two-time NBA Finals Champion. However, if you want all-around scoring, playmaking, explosiveness, and athleticism, John Wall is the simple choice.
In the mid-to-late 2010s, Wall was one of the best, if not the best, point guards in the league. He was a five-time All-Star and a one-time All-NBA player. However, due to playing on some poor Washington Wizards teams throughout his career, he only made the playoffs four times throughout his 11-year career.
Best Center of All-Time From Kentucky
DeMarcus Cousins was one of the most dominant centers from the moment he was drafted fifth overall in 2010 until 2019. Similarly to Wall, Cousins played on awful Sacramento Kings teams and never made the playoffs in the seven years he was there. However, he made the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.
Unlike Davis, Cousins dealt with tons of injuries late in his career and was not nearly as explosive. After the 2016-17 season, Cousins never played more than 50 games in a season.
KEEP READING: Kentucky Basketball Transfer Portal: Full List of Players Entering and Exiting
All-Time Kentucky Starting Lineup
Out of the many elite players in Kentucky who made it to the NBA, there are many different ways you could make an all-time starting five. However, this starting five is the best combination of elite scoring, athleticism, defense, and rebounding.
PG: John Wall
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
PF: Anthony Davis
C: DeMarcus Cousins
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
