Kentucky Basketball: 2010’s All-Decade Team

Backup PG: Tyler Ulis (2015-2016)

Why?:

1. If you are a Kentucky fan, you can’t get mad at this selection. Have there been better Kentucky point guards in the Calipari era? Yes. At their peak, De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Knight were not only better than Ulis but among the best players in the country. But Ulis had the gusto. He was the Card killer and carried the biggest load of any Kentucky point guard in the Calipari era.
2. SEC Defensive Player of the Year
3. Bob Cousy Award Winner (first UK player to win)
4. SEC Tournament MVP
5. First Team All-American
6. SEC Player of the Year
7. Sophomore Year: 17.3 PPG / 7.0 APG
8. Broke John Wall’s single-season assists record (246)

Backup SG: Malik Monk (2016-2017)

Why?:

1. Malik Monk was the most nuclear player to ever hit the court at Kentucky. He orchestrated comebacks against North Carolina and saved several games with his unique ability to score. If you need someone off the bench to make a shot, you call on Malik.
2. 19.8 PPG
3. 39.7% from three-point range /104 three-pointers made
4. SEC Player of the Year / SEC Rookie of the Year
5. Jerry West Award Winner
6. First Team All-SEC
7. Second Team All-American
8. No. 11 overall pick to Charlotte

Backup SF: Kevin Knox (2017-2018)

Why?:

1. This was probably the hardest decision to make. But, when it comes down to it, there is no one that better fits the role of a ‘3’ more than Kevin Knox, especially coming off the bench. He was a basket-getter. Despite defensive defficiencies, his length and size were enough to play several positions, while being able to score against almost any defender. He also had goliath performances that led to some marquee wins (*cough Bob Huggins).
2. 15.6 PPG / 5.4 RPG / 1.4 APG
3. SEC Rookie of the Year
4. SEC Tournament Champion
5. 2nd Most Minutes Played in the SEC (2018)
6. No. 9 overall to New York

Backup PF: Julius Randle (2013-2014)

Why?:

1. He was the father of the ‘Tweak’. Julius Randle can be forgotten in the mix of Kentucky Big-Men, but there were few more dominant them him. The lefty was a walking double-double and would ice defenses with his back-to-the-basket skills as well as the ability to hit jumpers off the elbow and baseline. Without Julius, the 2013-2014 team would not have made it to March let alone their magical run to the National Championship game.
2. Broke freshman records at UK in Rebounds (417), Free Throws (204), and Double-Doubles (24)
3. 15 PPG / 6.4 RPG
4. SEC Rookie of the Year
5. AP All-American
6. National Runner-Up (2014)
7. No. 7 overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers

Backup C: Demarcus Cousins (2009-2010)

Why?:

1. Boogie is the most colorful and expressive player to wear a Kentucky uniform. Boogie comes off the bench for only one reason: foul trouble. His passion was greater than his dominance on the court often leading to an early spot on the bench. Some say he is the best big man to play for Calipari, and others say only Coach Cal could coach the fiery young man. Regardless, he must be included on the all-time list for resurrecting the greatest program in college basketball, all in less than a single season.
2. Led nation and #2 all-time at Kentucky (behind AD) in Player Efficiency Rating at 34.2
3. 2nd Team All-American
4. SEC Freshman of the Year / SEC Champion (responsible for MSST victory)
5. 15.1 PPG / 9.8 RPG all in 23.5 minutes per game
6. No. 5 overall to Sacramento