5 Best NBA Players To Come out of Kentucky
NBA | March 10, 2021
Ever since the days of the great Adolph Rupp, the Kentucky Wildcats have been a force to be reckoned with in the college basketball world. Kentucky has produced some phenomenal coaches like Rupp, Petino, and Calipari. However, Kentucky basketball is probably best known for producing a plethora of NBA talent. Keep reading to see the 5 best NBA players to come out of the Kentucky basketball program!
5. Rajon Rondo
The 2020-21 season makes year number 15 for Rajon Rondo as an NBA player! After leading the Kentucky Wildcats for two years from his point guard position, Rondo decided to take his many talents to the Association in 2006. That decision worked out well for both Rondo and the Boston Celtics.
In fact, Rondo helped bring home a World Championship to Boston in only his second professional season in 2007-2008. Rondo was also a key ingredient to the Lakers capturing the NBA crown last season. Though slight in stature at only 6-1, Rondo is known for his uncanny ability to distribute the basketball and his outstanding leadership on the court.
4. John Wall
Like many other talented Kentucky players, John Wall only spent one season in Lexington before moving onto the NBA. The Washington Wizards made Wall a very wealthy 20-year old when they drafted him with the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Wall has proven to be a dynamic NBA player as he was selected to five straight All-Star teams from 2013-2018.
After nine productive seasons with the Wizards, Wall was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Wall has gotten off to a great start with his new team by averaging nearly 24 points per game so far this season.
3. Tayshaun Prince
Although most Kentucky players adhere to the “one and done” rule, Tayshaun Prince played all four years for the Wildcats! At 6-9 and a long, lanky 212 pounds, Prince terrorized players on the defensive end of the court. The Detroit Pistons drafted Prince in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft.
Although a college basketball National Title alluded him, Prince became an NBA champion while with the Pistons in 2004. Prince played 14 total NBA seasons and averaged nearly 13 points per contest for his career.
2. Jamal Mashburn
At 6-8 and almost 250 pounds “Mash” was a force to be reckoned with while at Kentucky. He won the 1993 SEC Player of the Year Award after leading the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance. The Mavs selected Mashburn with the fourth overall pick in the 1993 draft.
Mashburn was a splendid scorer during his 11-year NBA career. He averaged a solid 19.1 points per game as well as 5.4 rebounds per game. Mash retired after a grueling knee injury in 2005.
1. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was born to be a superstar with his 6-10 height and huge wingspan. AD helped lead Kentucky to a NCAA Title in 2012. Shortly after, the New Orleans Hornets selected him with the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Although he has been dogged by some nagging injuries at times, Davis has had a wonderful NBA career. He has averaged nearly 24 points per game so far in his career and helped the Lakers win the NBA Title last season. If AD can stay healthy, he will go down in history as one of the greatest NBA players of all-time.
Tags: Kentucky Wildcats
