Can Kentucky basketball keep its streak of first-round NBA draft picks alive? What to know
LEXINGTON — As the years went on with Kentucky basketball, NCAA Tournament glory was harder and harder to come by for John Calipari. In his first 10 seasons, he reached the Sweet 16 eight times, the Elite Eight on seven occasions, tallied four Final Four appearances and earned two bids to the national championship game — highlighted by a national title in 2012.
But after the 2018-19 campaign wrapped up, Calipari never advanced out of the first weekend with the Wildcats in his final five seasons on the job.
One thing that never waned under his watch, however, was NBA draft prosperity.
Starting with the first draft featuring Calipari-coached UK players in 2010, the program went the length of his tenure with at least one Wildcat being selected in the first round. That streak now sits at 15 straight years (2010-24).
But it might be in jeopardy this year.
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Kentucky isn’t expected to produce a first-round pick.
The last time that happened was 2009, when scoring machine Jodie Meeks went in the second round.
And the last time UK didn’t have a player drafted was 2007.
Six players off the Wildcats’ 2024-25 roster — guards Koby Brea, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson, forwards Ansley Almonor and Andrew Carr and center Amari Williams — are out of college eligibility and hope to hear their name called. Another member of the 2024-25 team, guard Otega Oweh, is going through the draft process but could remove his name and return to Lexington for another season with coach Mark Pope.
Here’s a look at Kentucky’s 2025 draft hopefuls — broken down in tiers, alphabetically — with the NBA draft combine slated to begin May 11:
2024-25 stats: 5.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists per game; made 50.4% (61 for 121) of his field goals, including 42.4% (39 for 92) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: No mock drafts feature Almonor’s name. His best hope? Land an undrafted free agent deal after the draft and then prove himself from there. If not, a player with his size, and especially his shooting touch, undoubtedly could find a spot overseas. (Provided he’s willing to go that route, of course.)
Position: Guard
Height: 6-7
Weight: 215
2024-25 stats: 11.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg; made 47% (147 for 313) of his field goals, including 43.5% (93 for 214) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: Given his incredible accuracy from long range, it’s no surprise Brea is expected to be selected at some point. In fact, he’s the lone Wildcat who has consistently been projected to be picked in mock drafts that include two rounds. That includes ESPN (No. 54 to Indiana), The Athletic (also No. 54 to the Pacers), Yahoo (No. 46 to Orlando) and NBAdraft.net (No. 50 to New York). Safe to say, if there’s one Wildcat to bet on getting drafted this year, it’s the player who has been arguably the best shooter in college basketball the past two seasons.
