Who would start for an All-UK team?
In recent weeks there has been a lot of speculation about a game between a Kentucky Basketball all star team vs an NBA team.
For Big Blue Nation this matchup would be like a dream. Rumored to potentially face the Houston Rockets or the defending champion Golden State Warriors, many believe an all-Kentucky Basketball team would dominate. That includes a few of the Kentucky players themselves. This speaks to the level of talent that Calipari has gotten to come to Kentucky in his eight year tenure. With all of the stars to come out of Lexington, who would be the starters for this squad?
John Wall
The number one overall pick in 2010, Wall has since been a four time NBA All Star. Hands down the best point guard of the Calipari era, Wall would be the best choice to start at the point. Not only was he the fastest when he was at Kentucky he translated that to the next level. In the NBA now he is widely regarded as the fastest player in the league. Wall would be the best choice to start at point guard for the all-Kentucky team.
Malik Monk
Not even a year out of Lexington, I have Monk starting at shooting guard on the all-Kentucky Basketball team. In his lone season at Kentucky he led the team in scoring averaging almost 20 points a game. He has proven he has the ability to light it up anytime he wants. When facing North Carolina in the regular season, Monk dropped a Kentucky freshman scoring record 47 points. With Wall bringing the ball up the floor alongside Monk, that’s a scary sight.
Devin Booker
Starting at small forward on this all-Kentucky team is the 6-foot-6 Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. Averaging a career high 22 points a game, Booker can light it up as well. This past season his best game was against the Boston Celtics when he dropped 70 points. That was the most points scored in a game since Kobe Bryant scored 81 in 2006. Wall coming up the court with Booker and Monk gives him a lot of shooting and instant offense. These three together would be something special. It would most certainly spread the defense to let John Wall drive to the basket.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Leading the famous 38-1 team in 2015, Towns was a beast at Kentucky. Going number one overall he was the first forward to do that since Anthony Davis did it in 2012. Towns running at power forward with shot blocking behind him makes this team dangerous. Since leaving Kentucky, Towns has also added three point shooting to his game making him virtually unstoppable. A tough defender in the paint to pair with Davis would make it really difficult for anyone to get to the rim.
Anthony Davis
Last but not least, at center on this loaded roster is former number one pick Anthony Davis. Backing up Towns in the paint is the ultimate shot blocker in Davis with his eight foot wingspan. Averaging almost 30 points a game last season, Davis brings a lot to the table. From shot blocking and rebounding to shooting threes and dunking, he can do it all. Running behind these four, Davis is the perfect fit to close out the all-Kentucky starters.
Reserves
PG: De’Aaron Fox
PG/SG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Jamal Murray
SF: Julius Randle
PF: Bam Adebayo
C: Demarcus Cousins
C: Enes Kanter
Next: The top 25 Kentucky basketball players of all time
The talent that Calipari has coached at Kentucky could compete with any NBA team. Although there are a few younger guys on the roster, this team would be a sight to see. We’ll see if we get a chance to see a Kentucky based team come together to take on an NBA team in an exhibition. One can only hope that this dream can come true.