30 (yes, 30) former Kentucky players make NBA rosters

Happy first day of the NBA season to all who celebrate. If not, and you find the NBA unwatchable for any number of reasons up to and including it being a constant reminder of how many elite basketball players came through Lexington over the last 15 years with only one title to show for it, then that’s cool too. Look at opening night in the NBA as an indicator that college basketball season is just around the corner.

This season, an incredible 30 former Wildcats made a roster to start the season. In case conceptualization of numbers is also not your thing, that is a lot.

If you want to be picky, you could say the true list is only 25 players, as five guys are technically on a two-way contract. This means they are on the team but can only dress for 50 regular-season games.

Regardless, the next closest college with alumni in the NBA is Duke with 21 players on opening-night rosters.

Some BBNBA things to get excited about

I understand the NBA is not for everyone, even otherwise hardcore basketball fans. But allow me to rattle off some reasons to watch former Kentucky players this season:

• Out of Kentucky’s 25 non-two-way players, 12 of them rank in the top 100 in the NBA according to ESPN which, again, is a lot.
• Reed Sheppard is one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year. If his preseason is any indication, he might win it. He also has a borderline creepy mustache for some reason.
• Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle were involved in a blockbuster trade for one another just weeks ago, sending Towns to the Knicks and Randle to the Timberwolves (where he will play alongside another dynamic rookie, Rob Dillingham). Feels like drama.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a legit MVP candidate and will likely lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals. This is the same guy who used to back up Quade Green.
• Tyrese Maxey is the reigning Most Improved Player and NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner. He’s that good.
• Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis all won gold medals in the 2024 Olympics. Now they will vie for a golden NBA trophy. Also, Anthony Davis still has a unibrow.

I could keep going but if you still aren’t convinced the NBA is worth watching, Kentucky plays an exhibition game on Wednesday.

List of Kentucky players on opening night NBA rosters (including two-way players)

Player	Pos	HT	WT	Draft Yr	NBA Team
Bam Adebayo	C	6-9	255	2017	Heat
Devin Booker	SG	6-6	206	2015	Suns
Brandon Boston Jr.	SG	6-6	188	2021	Pelicans (Two-Way)
Anthony Davis	PF	6-10	253	2012	Lakers
Rob Dillingham	SG	6-3	175	2024	Timberwolves
Justin Edwards	SF	6-8	203	2024	76ers (Two-Way)
De’Aaron Fox	PG	6-3	185	2017	Kings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	PG	6-6	195	2018	Thunder
Tyler Herro	SG	6-5	195	2019	Heat
Isaiah Jackson	PF	6-9	205	2021	Pacers
Keldon Johnson	SF	6-5	220	2019	Spurs
Johnny Juzang	SG	6-5	209	2022	Jazz
Chris Livingston	F	6-6	220	2023	Bucks
Trey Lyles	SF	6-9	234	2015	Kings
Tyrese Maxey	PG	6-2	200	2020	Sixers
Malik Monk	SG	6-3	200	2017	Kings
Jamal Murray	SG	6-4	215	2016	Nuggets
Immanuel Quickley	PG	6-2	190	2020	Raptors
Julius Randle	PF	6-8	250	2014	Timberwolves
Nick Richards	C	7-0	245	2020	Hornets
Antonio Reeves	SG	6-4	205	2024	Pelicans
Shaedon Sharpe	F	6-5	205	2022	Trail Blazers
Reed Sheppard	SG	6-3	185	2024	Rockets
Jacob Toppin	SF	6-8	200	2023	Knicks (Two-Way)
Karl-Anthony Towns	C	7-0	248	2015	Knicks
Oscar Tshiebwe	F	6-8	255	2023	Jazz (Two-Way)
Jarred Vanderbilt	PF	6-8	214	2018	Lakers
Cason Wallace	G	6-3	195	2023	Thunder
TyTy Washington Jr.	PG	6-3	195	2022	Suns (Two-Way)
PJ Washington	PF	6-7	230	2019	Mavericks