Kentucky basketball leads the way with 29 NBA players
Kentucky basketball has long been known as a professional pipeline. Under John Calipari, UK turned into an NBA factory, and Mark Pope is keeping that tradition alive. As of the 2025-26 season, a nation-leading 29 former Wildcats are on NBA rosters.
Veterans like Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), and Anthony Davis (now with the Dallas Mavericks) continue to anchor franchises, while newer faces like Rob Dillingham (Minnesota Timberwolves), Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), and Justin Edwards (Philadelphia 76ers) are carving out roles of their own.
Sheppard, a lottery pick in 2024, should be playing starter minutes in Houston’s revamped backcourt. Edwards, whose size and shot-making make him a matchup nightmare even though he was inconsistent at Kentucky, is part of a youth movement in Philly alongside Tyrese Maxey, another former Cat now a full-blown All-Star.
De’Aaron Fox (San Antonio Spurs) and Keldon Johnson (also with the Spurs) represent Kentucky in the Alamo City, while Julius Randle is with Rob Dillingham in Minnesota to form a dynamic former Cat duo. Anthony Davis teams up with P.J. Washington in Dallas after the Luka Doncic trade.
Shaedon Sharpe remains a bright spot in Portland, and Jamal Murray continues to thrive in Denver. Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley and Nick Richards found themselves with Toronto and Phoenix, respectively.
Perhaps most interesting: former walk-on Jacob Toppin now holds a standard contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Not far behind are recent two-way signees like Antonio Reeves (Charlotte Hornets), Lamont Butler (Atlanta Hawks), Andrew Carr (Portland Trail Blazers), and Amari Williams (Boston Celtics).
Koby Brea, a newcomer from Dayton who transferred to Kentucky for Pope’s first season, is now with the Suns. That makes three Wildcats in Phoenix, tied with Philadelphia and San Antonio.
Full list of Kentucky players on NBA rosters:
Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Anthony Davis – Dallas Mavericks
Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Karl-Anthony Towns – New York Knicks
Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
Rob Dillingham – Minnesota Timberwolves
Reed Sheppard – Houston Rockets
Justin Edwards – Philadelphia 76ers
Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder
Immanuel Quickley – Toronto Raptors
De’Aaron Fox – San Antonio Spurs
Julius Randle – Minnesota Timberwolves
Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings
Tyler Herro – Miami Heat
Keldon Johnson – San Antonio Spurs
Isaiah Jackson – Indiana Pacers
Nick Richards – Phoenix Suns
P.J. Washington – Dallas Mavericks
Chris Livingston – Milwaukee Bucks
Shaedon Sharpe – Portland Trail Blazers
Jacob Toppin – Atlanta Hawks
Jarred Vanderbilt – Los Angeles Lakers
Koby Brea – Phoenix Suns
Amari Williams – Boston Celtics
Lamont Butler – Atlanta Hawks
Andrew Carr – Portland Trail Blazers
Antonio Reeves – Charlotte Hornets
With 29 players on rosters, Kentucky leads all programs in NBA presence once again. One year into the Mark Pope era, the pipeline hasn’t just remained open—it’s widening.