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Kentucky basketball’s 5 biggest NBA busts

By Richard Laird

Mar 13, 2010; Nashville, TN, USA: Kentucky Wildcats forward Demarcus Cousins in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the third round of the SEC tournament at the Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports.
Mar 13, 2010; Nashville, TN, USA: Kentucky Wildcats forward Demarcus Cousins in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the third round of the SEC tournament at the Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports. /
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When talking about the richest programs in college basketball history, one program is always mentioned – The University of Kentucky. Kentucky basketball has been referred to as “the Roman Empire of College Basketball”, by Rick Pitino, they trail only UCLA in national championships, are currently the second-winningest program of all time, are tied with North Carolina and ULCA for the most championship game appearances, and leads all other schools with players who have played in the NBA with 121.

Having so much talent and success, there are sure to be some letdowns. These are the five biggest Kentucky basketball NBA Draft busts.

5. Melvin Turpin

Lexington, Kentucky-born Melvin Turpin comes in at the five spot on this list.  Turpin’s playing career as a Wildcat started in 1980 and ended when he was the sixth pick in the first round by the Washington Bullets in the 1984 NBA draft.

During his career with Kentucky basketball, Turpin averaged 13.3 PPG and 5.9 RPG with his best season coming during his 83-84 campaign when he averaged 15.2 PPG and 6.4 RPG.

The NBA had high expectations for the 6-11 Turpin, however, he never quite reached them. Turpin battled weight issues during his NBA career and lasted only five years in the league, playing the 88-89 season in Spain before returning to play the 89-90 season with the Bullets. “Dinner-Bell Mel”, as he was called, had his best season with the Clevland Cavaliers in 85-86 when he averaged 13.7 PPG and 7.0 RPG.

4. Rick Robey

Rick Robey was drafted 3rd overall in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Throughout his career as a Wildcat, Robey averaged 13.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG.

Those numbers didn’t translate to the NBA though. During his eight years in the Association, Robey averaged 7.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG.  During the Boston Celtics’ title run in 1981, Robey stacked together 9.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG as a backup to Robert Parrish.

3. John Wall

One of the most beloved players in recent history at Kentucky, the jewel of John Calipari’s first recruiting class at Kentucky made the Wildcats, not just fun to watch, but cool. Wall averaged 16.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 6.5 APG in his only season in Lexington as a freshman.

Selected number one overall by the Washington Wizards, Wall’s career numbers haven’t been awful, but they haven’t been the career numbers you’d hope to get from a number one overall pick.

Over the course Wall’s career, he has battled injuries to his wrist, heel, and a ruptured Achilles tendon and hasn’t appeared in more than 50 games in a season since 2016-17.

2. DeMarcus Cousins

Cousins joined Wall at Kentucky and was an instant fan favorite. The duo had chemistry instantly and were fun to watch. Cousins averaged a double-double for the Wildcats during the 2009-10 season with 14.7 PPG and 10.0 RPG.

After being selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings, Cousins’ career did start off white hot. From the 2013-14 season until the 2017-18 season, he averaged at least 20 PPG and 10 RPG and was arguably the best center in the league.

Cousins has struggled with injuries throughout much of his career and since 2015-16 has only appeared in 50+ games in a season once, during the 2016-17 year when he played 55.

1. Sam Bowie

Sam Bowie may be the biggest bust in NBA history. Bowie was selected second overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, famously one pick before Michael Jordan. Bowie battled injuries through college, and they didn’t get better in the NBA.

During his second season in the NBA, Bowie broke his left tibia, and five games into his third season, Bowie suffered a fracture to his right tibia that ended his season.

While with the Trailblazers, Bowie only played in 60 games or more one time, which was in his rookie season when he played in 76.

After leaving the Trailblazers and going to the New Jersey Nets, Bowie’s career did get better, but he never was able to meet the expectations of being the second overall pick, ahead of Michael Jordan. If Jordan was picked at one or two during the ’84 draft, Bowie may not be in the running for the biggest bust of all time.

At the end of the day, these players left Kentucky basketball fans with memories they will cherish forever, and we should be grateful for all they’ve given to the University.

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