The University of Kentucky (UK) Wildcats have one of the most storied traditions in college basketball, producing countless legends who have dominated both the college game and the NBA. Below are some of the greatest players in Kentucky history.

All-Time Kentucky Basketball Legends

Anthony Davis (2011–2012)

  • 2012 NCAA Champion & Final Four MOP
  • National Player of the Year (2012)
  • #1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft
  • 8× NBA All-Star, NBA Champion (2020)

Dan Issel (1966–1970)

  • Kentucky’s all-time leading scorer (2,138 points)
  • Averaged 33.9 PPG in his senior season
  • Hall of Famer & ABA/NBA superstar

Jamal Mashburn (1990–1993)

  • Led Kentucky to the 1993 Final Four
  • SEC Player of the Year (1993)
  • #4 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft
  • NBA All-Star & elite scorer

John Wall (2009–2010)

  • SEC Player of the Year (2010)
  • #1 overall pick in 2010 NBA Draft
  • 5× NBA All-Star & one of the best UK point guards ever

DeMarcus Cousins (2009–2010)

  • SEC Freshman of the Year (2010)
  • #5 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft
  • 4× NBA All-Star

Karl-Anthony Towns (2014–2015)

  • SEC Freshman of the Year (2015)
  • Led UK to a 38-1 record & Final Four appearance
  • #1 overall pick in 2015 NBA Draft
  • NBA Rookie of the Year & All-Star

Pat Riley (1964–1967)

  • First-team All-SEC
  • Played in the 1966 NCAA Championship Game (Rupp’s Runts)
  • Legendary NBA coach, winning 5 NBA titles with the Lakers & Heat

Tony Delk (1992–1996)

  • 1996 NCAA Champion & Final Four MOP
  • SEC Player of the Year (1996)
  • One of the best shooters in Kentucky history

Tayshaun Prince (1998–2002)

  • SEC Player of the Year (2001)
  • NBA Champion (2004, Detroit Pistons)
  • Elite perimeter defender

Rex Chapman (1986–1988)

  • 2× First-Team All-SEC
  • One of the best pure scorers in UK history
  • Long NBA career and later a social media icon

Cliff Hagan (1950–1954)

  • 1951 NCAA Champion
  • Hall of Famer & multi-time NBA/ABA All-Star

Antoine Walker (1994–1996)

  • 1996 NCAA Champion
  • Multi-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion (2006)

More Recent Kentucky Legends

Devin Booker (2014–2015)

  • Came off the bench for UK’s 38-1 team
  • Became an NBA superstar with the Phoenix Suns
  • 3× NBA All-Star

Julius Randle (2013–2014)

  • Led UK to 2014 NCAA Championship Game
  • NBA All-Star and dominant forward

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2017–2018)

  • First-Team All-SEC
  • NBA All-NBA First Team (2023), All-Star

Tyrese Maxey (2019–2020)

  • Rising NBA star with the Philadelphia 76ers
  • Explosive scoring guard

Legendary Kentucky Coaches

  • Adolph Rupp (1930–1972) – 4× NCAA Champion
  • Joe B. Hall (1972–1985) – 1978 NCAA Champion
  • Rick Pitino (1989–1997) – 1996 NCAA Champion
  • Tubby Smith (1997–2007) – 1998 NCAA Champion
  • John Calipari (2009–Present) – 2012 NCAA Champion, multiple Final Fours

Kentucky remains one of the greatest basketball programs ever, with its tradition of dominance, NBA talent, and championship pedigree.