Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Mat Diekhake

The Georgia Bulldogs basketball program has had several legendary players who left a significant impact on the team and, in some cases, went on to have successful careers in the NBA. Here are some of the most notable legends in Georgia Bulldogs basketball history:

1. Dominique Wilkins (SF)

  • Full Name: Jacques Dominique Wilkins
  • Born: January 12, 1960
  • Hometown: Paris, France (Grew up in Washington, North Carolina)
  • Height: 6’8″ (2.03 m)
  • Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg)
  • College Career: 1979–1982
  • NBA Draft: 1982, 1st round (3rd overall) by the Utah Jazz
  • NBA Career: Atlanta Hawks, LA Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic
  • Accolades:
    • 9× NBA All-Star
    • 1986 NBA Scoring Champion
    • 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)
    • His No. 21 jersey is retired by Georgia

Wilkins is the most famous player in Georgia Bulldogs history, known as the “Human Highlight Film” for his high-flying dunks. He was a dominant scorer in college and carried that reputation into the NBA.

2. Vern Fleming (PG)

  • Full Name: Vern Fleming
  • Born: February 4, 1962
  • Hometown: New York, New York
  • Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
  • College Career: 1980–1984
  • NBA Draft: 1984, 1st round (18th overall) by the Indiana Pacers
  • NBA Career: Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets
  • Accolades:
    • Key player on Georgia’s 1983 Final Four team
    • Played 12 seasons in the NBA
    • Won a gold medal with Team USA in the 1984 Olympics

Fleming was a versatile and steady point guard, helping lead Georgia to its only Final Four appearance in 1983.

3. Litterial Green (PG)

  • Full Name: Litterial Maurice Green
  • Born: March 7, 1970
  • Hometown: Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Height: 6’1″ (1.85 m)
  • Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
  • College Career: 1988–1992
  • NBA Draft: 1992, 2nd round (39th overall) by the Chicago Bulls
  • NBA Career: Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Accolades:
    • Georgia’s all-time leading scorer (2,111 points)
    • Named First-Team All-SEC in 1992
    • Helped Georgia reach multiple NCAA Tournament appearances

Green was an explosive scorer and leader, holding the record for most career points at Georgia.

4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

  • Full Name: Kentavious Tannell Caldwell-Pope
  • Born: February 18, 1993
  • Hometown: Thomaston, Georgia
  • Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 204 lbs (93 kg)
  • College Career: 2011–2013
  • NBA Draft: 2013, 1st round (8th overall) by the Detroit Pistons
  • NBA Career: Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets
  • Accolades:
    • 2020 NBA Champion (Lakers)
    • 2023 NBA Champion (Nuggets)
    • SEC Player of the Year (2013)

Caldwell-Pope was a two-way star at Georgia, known for his elite perimeter defense and clutch three-point shooting.

5. Alec Kessler (PF/C)

  • Full Name: Alec Christopher Kessler
  • Born: January 13, 1967
  • Died: October 13, 2007
  • Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
  • Height: 6’11” (2.11 m)
  • Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg)
  • College Career: 1986–1990
  • NBA Draft: 1990, 1st round (12th overall) by the Houston Rockets (traded to Miami Heat)
  • NBA Career: Miami Heat
  • Accolades:
    • SEC Player of the Year (1990)
    • Georgia’s all-time leading rebounder (1,038)

Kessler was a dominant big man at Georgia, excelling in rebounding and scoring inside.

Other Notable Georgia Bulldogs Players

  • Trey Thompkins (PF) – Standout forward, played in the NBA and overseas.
  • Jarvis Hayes (SF) – Played for the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons.
  • JJ Frazier (PG) – Small but dynamic scorer for Georgia.
  • Anthony Edwards (SG) – The highest-drafted player in Georgia history (1st overall in 2020 NBA Draft). Already an NBA star with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Final Thoughts

While Georgia is more of a football school, its basketball program has produced NBA stars, All-Americans, and a Final Four team in 1983. Dominique Wilkins remains the most iconic Bulldog, but recent stars like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony Edwards have kept the program in the national spotlight.