By many measures, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team is the most successful in NCAA history. The Wildcats have the most wins and highest winning percentage all-time, and Kentucky Blue is a mainstay in the Big Dance. No surprises, there are a lot of former Kentucky Wildcats who have played in the NBA.
Kentucky has also had some of the most impactful coaches in basketball history, either on the sideline in Lexington or men who have eventually coached in the league. John Calipari and Pat Riley headline a list of coaches that includes Dwane Casey and Rick Pitino.
As for the players, the number of Kentucky alumni in the pros is staggering. From some of the Association’s Founding Fathers, to some of the biggest stars in the league today, Kentucky has its fingerprints all over professional basketball. The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program is up there with juggernauts like Duke and UNC.
So, let’s dive in: Who are the top former Kentucky players in NBA history?