A new chapter in college basketball history is being written in the 2025 NBA Finals. With the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers battling for the title, the University of Kentucky has quietly achieved a milestone that will echo for years to come.
Kentucky’s NBA Pipeline Reaches New Heights
The University of Kentucky has long been linked to NBA stardom, but now this series has taken that connection to new heights. Now Kentucky has more players — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace and Isaiah Jackson — than any school, more than even Arkansas and other powerhouses with two players in the series.
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This achievement is more than a simple statistic; it is a testament to Kentucky’s relentless focus on recruiting and developing elite talent.
The crown jewel of this Kentucky trio is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s done nothing but make history this season in 2024-25. Gilgeous-Alexander guided the Thunder to a franchise record setting 68–14 mark, while averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.
He also secured the NBA scoring title and is on the verge of joining the exclusive 3,000-point club for a single season, a feat achieved by only 24 players before him.
The Wildcats’ dominance is further reflected in the broader playoff landscape. Kentucky had the most alumni in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, with 18 players across 13 teams, and four All-Stars representing the program this season. This Finals appearance cements their status as the premier pipeline for NBA talent.
The 2025 NBA Finals: Showcasing College Powerhouses
The 2025 NBA Finals spotlight the remarkable influence of college basketball programs on the league’s biggest stage. Several schools have multiple alumni competing for the championship, underscoring their reputations as NBA talent pipelines.
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NBA Finals 2025: Players by School
- Kentucky: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Cason Wallace (Thunder), Isaiah Jackson (Pacers)
- Arkansas: Jaylin Williams (Thunder), Isaiah Joe (Thunder)
- Texas A&M: Alex Caruso (Thunder), Quenton Jackson (Pacers)
- Baylor: Adam Flagler (Oklahoma City Thunder), RayJ Dennis (Indiana Pacers)
- Gonzaga: Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Andrew Nembhard (Pacers)
- Arizona: Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), T.J. McConnell (Pacers)
This year’s Finals are unique for their inexperience, with most players making their debut on the NBA’s biggest stage. Yet, the presence of so many Kentucky alumni underscores the program’s ability to prepare players for the highest level of competition.
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after a pivotal playoff win, “If they could build it, we can erase it”. His poise and leadership have been pivotal, and his journey from Kentucky to NBA MVP and Finals leader is inspiring a new generation of Wildcats and basketball fans alike.
