Former Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA: The Complete Road Map

Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

ERIC BLEDSOE
PHOENIX SUNS

After three years in the league, Bledsoe exploded on the scene in Phoenix. Although he missed time due to injury, Eric mad his presence felt in the desert and recorded career highs in points (17.7), assists (5.5) and rebounds (4.7). The Suns were confident enough in his surgically repaired knee to reward him with a 5 year, $70M deal in the off season. Bledsoe is firmly set in the Suns back court next to Goran Dragic and is primed for another solid year. Bledsoe could have become an unrestricted free agent next summer, so the Suns made the move to lock him up long term.

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

DEMARCUS COUSINS
SACRAMENTO KINGS

DeMarcus took the next step and put his name into the mix for one of the top big mean in the league. Cousins had his best year so far with 22.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. All of these were career highs. Cousins also was under much scrutiny this summer with Team USA but seemed to have matured a bit in the process. Critics are always going to focus on the negatives with Cousins but it appears that DeMarcus wants to be a leader with the Kings. He was challenged by teammate Reggie Evans to pick up no more than five technical fouls this season. If he can do, that means more time on the court for Boogie and the opponents had no answer for the big man last year.

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

ANTHONY DAVIS
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Challenging Cousin’s claim to best big man in the the league could be Anthony Davis. Davis has a firm grasp as the Pelicans’ PF and he exploded last year after a solid rookie season. All Davis did was average 20.8 points per game, 10 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. And Davis is just 21 years old. He COULD be in his senior season at Kentucky. Davis is also coming off a summer with Team USA in the FIBA Tourney in which he was dominating defensively. And if you play fantasy basketball, Davis is being listed as a possible top draft pick in the league. Davis has been working through some minor injuries, but he should be roaring to go for the regular season.

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

ARCHIE GOODWIN
PHOENIX SUNS

Archie played well at times during his rookie season in Phoenix but it looks like at least for this season, playing time may be at a premium. Archie played in 52 games last year and averaged 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and .4 assists per game. He hit just 13.9% of his three pointers and hit 45.5% overall. While dynamic, Goodwin still needs another year of seasoning and to work on his fundamentals. He is just 20 years old. However, if he needs inspiration, there is no better choice than former Cat Eric Bledsoe on the same roster.