Former Kentucky Wildcats Mid-Late First Round NBA Success: A Quick Look for Archie Goodwin
By Wayne
Apr 1, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies small forward Tayshaun Prince (21) dunks the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at FedEx Forum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 92-90. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
There is little doubt that the Big Blue Nation is accustomed to seeing John Calipari send kids to the NBA Draft who will be selected in the First round. In 2012 four Kentucky Wildcats were drafted in the First Round. 2011 saw only two. In 2010, Calipari’s inaugural season at Kentucky, five were drafted.
Now, I made the quick and dirty list to see how Archie’s prospects look for an NBA career. And yes, I know this list is a mixed bag of positions and talent, but they were all mid-low First Round picks who may have stayed if they had known what their future held. Exceptions: Bledsoe, Rondo and Prince.
By being mid-late First Round picks, however, they are drafted by teams who have enjoyed some success so they haven’t had to endure the hardship of a floundering NBA team like the Lottery picks have. There is significantly less pressure to be the corner stone to turn a franchise around ala Wall, Davis, or MKG.
Archie is a big body SG with a great ability to finish but he also has a spotty jumper and makes questionable decisions. Of course none of that matters because the NBA drafts on potential, just ask Daniel Orton. He has the mentality and body to have a decent career on an NBA team but Doron Lamb did too and he fell to the Second Round with D-League stays. It’s impossible to tell how Archie will do, but not many mid-low First Round picks seem to fair all that well. I hope he bucks the trend and flourishes.
That’s a total of 12 First Rounders drafted since Calipari’s arrival in Lexington and of those 12, seven were Lottery picks and two were the #1 overall pick (Wall 2010 and Davis 2012).
For the 2013 NBA Draft, it appears we will only see, possibly, two Wildcats drafted (Archie Goodwin and Nerlens Noel), yet of the two, only Noel is projected to go in the Lottery. That leaves us with Goodwin who’s projected rankings fall anywhere from #17-#23 depending on which experts you ask.
So that got me thinking, and Googling, how have some of Kentucky more popular players fared since the 2000 NBA Draft when leaving school early. While you may not be surprised, Archie Goodwin could be shocked.
2012
Terrence Jones-18 (Sophomore)
Marquis Teague-29 (Freshman)
Though they both won a National Title, Jones sacrificed the Lottery to do it where Teague played himself in to the First Round. Terrence has spent the majority of his rookie season in the D-League while Teague has played sparingly yet has rarely been sent to the D-League. Jones is seeing playing time with the Rockets now but the road has been tough.
2010
Eric Bledsoe-18 (Freshman)
Daniel Orton-29 (Freshman)
This was Calipari’s first NBA Draft class and these are the guys who fell out of the Lottery. It’s a miracle Orton even got drafted considering he averaged around 3 points and 3 rebounds for an Elite 8 squad. Bledsoe was a great pick up by the Clippers and is thought to finish with the best career out of the 2010 draftees though Wall and Cousins are picking it up big time. Sure Orton made quick money with his guaranteed contract but he’s spent much of his time in the D-League for both Orlando and Oklahoma.
2006
Rajon Rondo-19 (Sophomore)
Rajon was a square peg to Tubby’s round hole at Kentucky and as a result, the future Eastern Conference All Star suffered a bit on Draft Day. He was a terrible shooter and a hot head who didn’t command a great amount of attention but he has been among the most successful since the Celtics drafted him. He’s a 3 time All Star and led the C’s to the 2008 NBA Championship. Often called the best pure point guard in the NBA he has dazzled millions with his no look, behind the back precision passes and racks up assists quicker than Pitino at Porcini’s.
Honorable Mention:
2002
Tayshaun Prince-23 (Senior)
I’m including TayTay because the Compton, California native left such an indelible mark on the University and Big Blue Nation. The awkward, 3 point shooting lefty was an All American for Tubby Smith though I didn’t see him succeeding at all. I didn’t think he was big enough or quick enough for the NBA game. He won the starting SF position with the Detroit Pistons in 2003 and an NBA Title in 2004 with the ridiculous chase down block of Reggie Miller that saved their series against the Pacers. He played his entire career with the Pistons until being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this season where he will once again be in the Playoffs.
On, On, U of K