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Kentucky Basketball: Ranking the Best Shooting Guards of the Calipari Era

By Jared DeRossett

Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) hits a three-point shot over Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) in the second half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) hits a three-point shot over Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) in the second half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Eric Bledsoe (5) celebrates during the North Carolina and Kentucky Alumni Game at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Eric Bledsoe (5) celebrates during the North Carolina and Kentucky Alumni Game at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Eric Bledsoe (2009-2010)

Many people may feel really uncomfortable seeing Bledsoe this low. Some may not like the fact that a guy averaging over 20 points a game in the NBA didn’t even crack my top five. But, as previously stated, this a college-performance based ranking.

Along with John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe was in the first “one-and-done” class, starting a trend that has taken the country by storm. He averaged 11.3 points and 2.9 assists per game while at Kentucky. He was a key factor in the Elite Eight run, but he was vastly overshadowed by Wall and Cousins’ stardom.

The reason he is number six on my list is because of two numbers: player efficiency rating (PER) and turnovers. Bledsoe ranked last out of Calipari’s shooting guards by a wide margin in PER, with a 14.5. Pair that with his 112 turnovers, which ranked third in the SEC that year, and you can see why. That being said, Bledsoe’s defensive and athletic abilities were never a doubt, and he was a very fun player to watch during his time at Kentucky.

He’s achieved an upper-echelon status among NBA guards now, averaging 21.1 points and 6.3 assists per game this past season for Phoenix.

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