What Comes Next for the Four Former Kentucky Players Who Went Undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft Process
The University of Kentucky is no stranger to producing NBA talent, but in the unpredictable world of professional basketball, not every talented Wildcat hears their name called on draft night. The 2025 NBA Draft came and went with several Kentucky players finding new professional homes, but for four former Wildcats, their names were not announced on the Barclays Center stage. Despite the disappointment of going undrafted, their basketball dreams are far from over. In fact, history has proven that this can be just the beginning of an alternate — and often equally successful — path to the league or beyond. As these four players transition into the next chapter of their careers, there are several routes they can pursue, and each player must now make pivotal choices that could shape the rest of their professional journeys.
For undrafted players, the hours immediately following the draft are among the most important. It’s when agents work the phones, Summer League rosters begin to take shape, and two-way contracts or Exhibit 10 offers start flying around. For the four former Kentucky players who went undrafted, that window may be their quickest opportunity to stick with an NBA organization. Whether it’s via the Las Vegas Summer League or through an invitation to a training camp, many players have used these paths to earn a spot on a roster. Even if it’s not the NBA right away, the G League or international leagues are rich with opportunity, development, and long-term potential.
NBA teams are constantly scouring the globe for talent. They understand that not every player blossoms at the same time. These undrafted Wildcats still carry the Kentucky pedigree — a proven track record of preparing players for the professional level. Many general managers and scouts are aware that Kentucky players, even if statistically modest during their time in Lexington, may still possess untapped upside. Sometimes, playing within a stacked collegiate roster with limited touches can mask the true ability of a player, only for them to blossom once given more freedom and structure tailored to their game.
One potential avenue for these four undrafted Wildcats is the NBA Summer League, which has increasingly become a crucial scouting and development tool. Each summer, undrafted and second-round players alike get the opportunity to play in front of NBA front offices, GMs, and coaches in hopes of securing a two-way deal or even a full contract. It’s a tryout of sorts, but also a statement of belief in oneself. Several undrafted Kentucky players of the past — such as Wenyen Gabriel or Mychal Mulder — used strong Summer League performances as a springboard to NBA deals. It’s a fast-paced environment where defense, hustle, and adaptability often shine more than individual scoring. Players who embrace their roles and contribute to team success in Las Vegas often see their careers ignite.
Should the Summer League or G League not pan out immediately, overseas basketball remains a viable and often lucrative option. International leagues in Spain, Turkey, France, Australia, and beyond are filled with former NCAA stars who found their stride abroad. For the Kentucky four, playing internationally can offer more minutes, a starring role, and a new environment to grow. For many, international play isn’t a step down — it’s a proving ground. From there, returning to the NBA radar becomes possible, as scouts routinely evaluate EuroLeague and NBL talent. Even if an NBA call-up doesn’t come quickly, the career can still be highly rewarding both financially and in terms of growth.
Beyond that, the NBA G League offers an extremely competitive landscape for development. For years, the G League has grown in prestige, coaching quality, and organizational integration. Teams now utilize their G League affiliates not just as holding pens for fringe players but as legitimate development arms for the franchise. If any of these Kentucky alumni find their way onto a G League roster — either via Exhibit 10 contracts or open tryouts — they’ll have access to world-class facilities, coaching, and perhaps most importantly, visibility. G League games are regularly scouted by NBA teams, and strong performances can lead to call-ups, especially during injury spells in the long regular season.
Another promising factor for undrafted players is the evolving structure of the two-way contract. In recent years, the NBA has increased the number of two-way slots per team and raised the salary significantly, making it a more appealing option for those not quite on the full roster. For the Kentucky four, a two-way contract represents a golden bridge: time to improve in the G League, and the chance to log real NBA minutes if needed. Many players, like Austin Reaves or Jose Alvarado, used two-way deals to ultimately earn full-time NBA contracts.
Of course, not all decisions are made purely on basketball opportunity. Personal factors such as location, coaching staff, family considerations, and even personal branding can affect where a player decides to sign or play. The Kentucky brand is global — meaning each player carries a level of cachet and attention even as an undrafted free agent. That can be leveraged in media exposure, NIL-style endorsement deals abroad, and other entrepreneurial ventures as they continue to grow their platforms.
In the bigger picture, going undrafted can fuel a level of hunger and drive that shapes careers. Countless NBA players were once in the same shoes — disappointed, overlooked, and undrafted. Yet, those experiences often produce resilient, coachable, and motivated professionals. For Kentucky players especially, there is a built-in pride and expectation that fuels their competitiveness. They have already competed in one of the toughest college basketball environments in the country. The pressure of playing under the spotlight of Big Blue Nation prepares players mentally in ways that cannot be underestimated.
Mentorship also becomes crucial in this next stage. Many undrafted Kentucky alumni remain closely connected to the program and often extend guidance or networking opportunities to the next wave. Players like Udonis Haslem, Wesley Matthews, and Fred VanVleet — all undrafted but carved out long NBA careers — serve as blueprints. Kentucky’s own support system through its alumni and coaching staff, including figures like John Calipari (now replaced, but still influential), Kenny Payne, and others, can help guide these athletes through the maze of early professional basketball life.
The mental aspect of not being drafted is its own challenge. Managing disappointment, filtering out negative feedback, and staying focused are paramount. For many athletes, that post-draft period becomes a test of self-belief. How they respond, how they train, and how they view their next steps will play a large part in whether they succeed. It’s also a time to refine identity as a professional player — not just in skill, but in role. Are you a defensive specialist, a floor-spacing shooter, a pass-first guard, a transition threat? The clearer a player is about what they bring to the table, the more likely they are to stick.
In the end, the undrafted journey is not a death sentence for a basketball career. In fact, some might argue it’s just the beginning of a more unconventional, but equally fulfilling, road. The NBA will always value production, maturity, and readiness — no matter where it comes from. For the four Kentucky players left off the 2025 draft board, the task now is simple: embrace the grind, seize every opportunity, and prove they belong. Whether it’s through the Summer League, G League, overseas play, or simply staying ready, the door is not closed. It just requires a different key.
