The University of Kentucky basketball program has shared its wealth with the NBA quite a bit over the last decade. With multiple Wildcats selected in the NBA Draft each year, nearly every team has found itself with a former Kentucky star at one point in time.
For over70 years, Kentucky basketball has had the most success sending players onto the NBA – 122 in all. With the NBA season just underway a total of 28 former Wildcats are active on NBA rosters.
Rajon Rondo is the most tenured starting his 15th season in the league with the Los Angles Lakers. Bradon Boston Jr. (LA Clippers) and Isiah Jackson (Indiana Pacers) are the rookies in the league. Boston didn’t contribute as much as expected in his one year playing Kentucky basketball, while Big Blue fans were thankful for Jackson.
There are 28 former Kentucky basketball players on NBA Rosters
From veterans in the league to young guys getting their first career start, here are how five former Kentucky standouts are doing early in the 2021-2022 season.
Some may have more of an impact than fans think. Let’s take a look at five.
Anthony Davis – Lakers F/C
While the Lakers have not had that great of a start to their season, the blame is far from being Anthony Davis.
The 2020 NBA Champion was missed most of the 2020-2021 season as he battled with injuries but has made a splash in his return to the lineup this season.
Through three games, Davis is averaging 28 points, 12.5 rebounds and three blocks a game.
His best game of the year so far was Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Davis played 42 minutes and put up 35 points and 17 rebounds, adding four blocks in the mix in the overtime thriller.
It is safe to say the Lakers are doing their best to run the offense through Davis as he is the youngest star on a team with some age to them. If he is to continue his dominance, “The Brow” will be in the MVP conversation down the road.
White at Kentucky in 2011-12 he led his team to a 38-2 record with the only two losses to of all teams Indiana and Vanderbilt. But they more than made up for it by winning the NCAA Championship in John Calipari’s third season.
No Kentucky basketball team since has had a player like Davis. He recorded 20 double-doubles in 40 games as a freshman at Kentucky, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, steals, and field goal percentage.