Who are the most famous NBA players from University of Kentucky?
If your dream is to play in the NBA, the University of Kentucky is the perfect place to gain championship-level on-court basketball experience.
If you want to become an NBA player someday, enrolling at the University of Kentucky could help you achieve your goal. Aside from the Kentucky Wildcats’ excellent NCAA record, the university also boasts the highest number of alums who have made it to the NBA.
In the 2023-24 season alone, the Wildcats are leading the way: there are 28 of them on NBA rosters, including Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The University also holds the record for the biggest number of overall NBA draft selections and produced three first-overall picks- Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and John Wall.
Here are some Wildcats who have made it big in the NBA.
Anthony Davis
Davis reaped many accolades in his single season of college basketball with the Wildcats. He led the team to an NCAA championship and was recognized as the tournament’s most outstanding player. He also led the NCAA in blocks. Little wonder then that the New Orleans Hornets selected him as the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.
His stint in the NBA is just as remarkable: he has been an NBA All-Star eight times, has led the league in blocks three times, and was named to the NBA 75th anniversary team.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns spent a year with the Wildcats, where he studied kinesiology. After leaving the UK for the NBA, he enrolled in online courses and hoped to finish his degree someday.
He quickly distinguished himself after being chosen first overall in the 2015 draft by the Timberwolves and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2016. He has made the NBA All-Star team three times and was the champion of the 2022 NBA three-point contest.
John Wall
Wall made his mark in Kentucky by setting the record for the most assists in a single game with 16. Because of his achievements, he has been inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.
After being chosen first overall in the 2010 draft by the Washington Wizards, Wall subsequently made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2011.He has also made the NBA All-Starteam five times.
DeMarcus Cousins
When they played together for Kentucky, cousins, and Wall were a force to contend with. With the two leading the team, the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. After a year in the UK, Cousins entered the 2010 NBA draft, where he was chosen fifth overall in the first round by the Sacramento Kings.
The 32-year-old has been named to the NBA All-Star four times and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2011.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo played for Kentucky for two seasons before announcing he would enter the NBA draft. During his stay with the university, he established the record for most steals in a single season with 87 and managed to make at least one steal in each game.
He was selected by the Phoenix Suns as 21st overall in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft. He continued to excel in steals and was the league leader in 2010. He has been an NBA All-Star four times.
Devin Booker
Booker excelled at making baskets in his college career and set season-high scores. He averaged 21.5 minutes per game in the 38 games he played with the Wildcats. He declared for the NBA draft in 2015 and was picked 13th overall in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.
The 26-year-old has since been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, won the NBA Three-Point Contest, and made the NBA All-Star three times.