Where Kentucky Wildcats Land in ESPN's Final NBA Draft Rankings

For the first time since 2016, the NBA Finals will end with a game seven. Just a few days later, basketball players from around the world will receive life-changing news at the NBA Draft.

Unlike previous years, there are not a ton of Kentucky Wildcats preparing to hear their name called in the lottery. There will be 24 players in the green room, and none of them played at UK.

That should add a ton of intrigue when the second round begins. We’re expecting at least two players to be picked, but there could be more. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony released his final rankings ahead of the event, and five Wildcats are among the Top 100.

47. Koby Brea
57. Amari Williams
65. Jaxson Robinson
90. Lamont Butler
95. Andrew Carr

In Givony’s final mock draft, Jaxson Robinson just misses the cut, outside of the top 59 picks.

For the second year, the NBA Draft will be a two-day event. The first round begins Wednesday, June 25, at 8 PM ET on ESPN. Second round coverage will tip off the following day at the same time on ESPN.

Injury News Ahead of the NBA Draft

In the final days before the event, one star from the SEC suffered devastating news. Former Oklahoma forward Jalon Moore participated in a pre-draft workout with the San Antonio Spurs when he tore his Achilles. He already underwent successful surgery to repair the ruptured tendon.

Moore was the No. 63 player on Givony’s draft board. That’s in a similar range to Amari Williams, who has a somewhat similar skill set as a versatile big man. The unfortunate news could open the door for the Weetabix-loving Londoner to hear his name called near the end of the second round of the NBA Draft.

Brea has Great NBA Potential

Even though Koby Brea is not in contention to be a first-round pick, he has the desired skills to excel in the NBA. During his one season at Kentucky, he proved that he’s much more than just a dead-eye shooter.

“I think under Mark Pope, he improved at putting the ball on the deck and being able to pull up,” Jay Bilas told KSR. “And he made some really difficult end-of-shot-clock contested threes this last year. But I think one of the things that he improved upon was working off of dribble handoffs in Mark Pope’s offense and he was, I thought, pretty darn good in pick and roll situations, which I didn’t see as much of from him at Dayton — just the way they played — and he looks to fire in transition.

“But when you have that elite skill of being able to shoot it and you can space the floor, because the NBA is all about space, he’s going to find a place in that league. And what a great kid.”