Ranking all 26 former Wildcats in the NBA from the 2022-23 season
It’s that time of the year to rank things.
This season of NBA basketball has been a whirlwind, from high-scoring games to massive trades. One thing has been a constant, however, and that’s been that Kentucky is still the greatest pipeline to the NBA. With less than a week left in the 2022-23 regular season, it’s time to reflect on another exciting stretch of hoops.
This season, there were 26 former Kentucky Basketball players that played in the NBA. Here are all 26 of them, ranked on how they performed this season.
No. 26-20
26. C Olivier Sarr (2020-21): Starting off the list at No. 26 is Olivier Sarr. Sarr spent just one season in Lexington after three years at Wake Forest. His season in the blue and white didn’t exactly go the way he had hoped, as the Wildcats finished with their worst record in program history. Sarr however was a bright spot on that team, averaging 10.8 PPG and 5.2 RPG. Sarr has been in and out of the Oklahoma City Thunder organization since going undrafted in 2021. He spent most of the 2022-23 season playing for their G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Sarr played seven NBA games this season, averaging just 2.0 PPG and 2.3 RPG. His best performance came back on March 8th where he scored five points, grabbed two rebounds, and notched one block in a loss to the Suns. Sarr continues to grind out a role in the league.
25. SF Johnny Juzang (2019-20): Johnny Juzang spent one season in Lexington, averaging just 2.9 PPG with a .326 3PT%. Juzang failed to carve out a role behind Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley, leading to his transfer from Kentucky following the abrupt conclusion of the 2019-20 season. Juzang transferred to UCLA for a larger role, which worked out well for him. He went on to enjoy great success in his two seasons in Los Angeles, earning Third-team All-American and First-team Pac-12 honors in 2022. Juzang declared for the NBA Draft following his junior season and latched on with the Utah Jazz as an undrafted free agent. He spent most of his 2022-23 season playing for the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League but suited up for the Jazz for only 15 games. His best performance came on March 5th, where he scored a career-high 11 points on 3/6 shooting from three. Juzang continues to carve out a role for himself on a young Utah Jazz team.
24. PG TyTy Washington Jr (2021-22): TyTy had an up-and-down rookie season. Washington was taken with the 29th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, which was a far cry from early season projections. After getting injured in a midseason contest against Florida, TyTy’s quality of play dipped, leading him to slide down the draft boards. He spent most of his season playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G League, leading them to the Finals while averaging 26.6 PPG. TyTy suited up in 30 games for the Houston Rockets this season, averaging just 4.6 PPG and 1.6 APG. He scored a career-high 20 points in a loss to the Thunder on February 4th. TyTy has a bright future and should find himself in the Rockets’ rotation next season.
23. SG Brandon Boston Jr. (2020-21): Boston’s second full NBA season was nearly a carbon copy of his first. He played 30 games less than his first season, spending most of his 22-23 campaign with the Ontario Clippers of the G League. BJ’s time at Kentucky was less than heralded, as he is often penned as one of the scapegoats for the rough 2020-21 season. Boston is averaging 6.8 PPG and 0.9 APG in 21 games played for the Clippers and will embark on a third try to crack the LA rotation next season.
22. SF Kevin Knox (2017-18): After being taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft following averages of 15.6 PPG and 5.4 RPG in his one year at Kentucky, Knox has failed to carve out a role in the league. After starting the season with the Detroit Pistons, he was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers at the trade deadline. This favored Knox however, as his minutes and scoring output rose. During his time in Detroit and Portland this season, Knox is averaging just 5.8 PPG and 2.7 RPG. After averaging 12.8 PPG his rookie season, Knox hasn’t gotten anywhere close to those numbers in his four seasons since. The Blazers have a club option when it comes to Knox next season, so it is unlikely he will be returning.
21. PF Wenyen Gabriel (2016-18): After bouncing around the NBA for the first four seasons of his career, Gabriel has settled into a nice role with the Los Angeles Lakers. A perennial role player during his two seasons at Kentucky, Gabriel has blossomed into the sixth/seventh man on the Lakers. Wenyen is averaging 5.6 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 15.1 minutes off the bench this season. Laker Nation loves Gabriel and it looks like he will be there for a while.
20. C Isaiah Jackson (2020-21): Isaiah Jackson was a bright spot in a not-so-bright season in his year at Kentucky. Jackson averaged 8.4 PPG and 6.6 RPG, bringing energy that most of that season lacked. The Indiana Pacers traded for Jackson on draft night after he was taken with the 22nd overall pick, believing in his upside. His second season in Indiana showed that the upside is definitely there. Jackson played in 61 games for the Pacers this season, nearly doubling last season’s number. He is averaging 7.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.4 BPG on a young Pacers team full of potential. He has seemingly carved out a sparkplug role off the Pacers’ bench for the near future.
No. 19-15
19. SG Hamidou Diallo (2017-18): In his short time at Kentucky, Diallo blossomed into one of the best dunkers in Kentucky history. He averaged 10.0 PPG and 3.6 APG as well, leading him to be taken with the 45th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Diallo opened the 2022-23 season in Detroit for the second straight season, once again hovering around the “young player to watch out for” category. Hami is averaging 9.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 56 games played this season before he was shut down on March 7th after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Diallo will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and will be looking to latch onto the third team (or possibly stick around in Detroit) of his career.
18. PF Trey Lyles (2014-15): Lyles may not be the flashiest player, but he still gets it done. Lyles was an integral part of Sacramento’s first playoff berth since 2006, averaging 7.6 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 72 games played this season. He made headlines earlier this season when he got into an altercation with Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, which resulted in a one-game suspension. Lyles will be a free agent after this season and will get an upgrade in pay from a team looking for a defensive stopper who can knock down threes.
17. SG Shaedon Sharpe (—-): Ah yes, Mr. Sharpe. After becoming a fan-favorite following his infamous pregame dunk routines, Sharpe declared for the 2022 NBA Draft without playing a minute for the ‘Cats. The potential was there, so the Trail Blazers bit the bullet with the seventh overall pick. After a mediocre start to the season behind future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard, Sharpe excelled once given the reins after Dame-Time was shut down on March 28th. After not scoring 20-plus points all season, Sharpe scored 20-plus in seven of the last eight games of the season, including a 30-bomb in a loss to the Kings on March 29th. Love him or hate him, Sharpe has turned into one of the most exciting players in the NBA and has a bright future.
16: C Nick Richards (2017-20): There’s just something about a year three Nick Richards. Just like Nick made the leap from a bench big to an All-American hopeful in 2020, Richards made the leap in his 2022-23 campaign, averaging career highs in points (8.2) and rebounds (6.4). For his efforts, Nick was rewarded with a three-year, $15 million contract extension from Charlotte back in March. The Hornets organization sees Richards as an integral part of their future and locked him up before he could reach the open market.
15: PF PJ Washington (2017-19): After three solid seasons in Charlotte, Washington made the leap to a perennial star in 2022-23. PJ is averaging 15.7 PPG and 4.9 RPG on a lowly Hornets squad and is looking to get paid this upcoming offseason. Washington has reportedly informed the Hornets that he is looking for a four-year, $52 million contract this offseason, so it’s currently up in the air whether or not he will get paid from them or from another team looking for a mobile, 6’7 three-pointer shooter who can also control the paint.
No. 14-10
14: PF Jarred Vanderbilt (2017-18): Vanderbilt’s time in Lexington was… odd. He suited up in just 14 games for the ‘Cats, averaging 5.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG. He was injured off and on for the entire season and at times looked like he wasn’t even a part of the team. He declared for the 2018 NBA Draft after the season, being taken at pick #41 based on potential alone. That potential has paid off. After grinding his way through the G League and being a part of three different trades, “The Vandalorian” has blossomed into one of the best defensive players in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deadly combo of Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis is crushing teams defensively when they play together, boasting a +13.5 NET while holding down a 101.4 DRTG. Vanderbilt has definitely exceeded expectations many in the league had for him upon his arrival and will get PAID once he hits free agency (if the Lakers even allow him to do so).
13. SG Malik Monk (2016-17): When it was announced that Monk was teaming up with former teammate De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento prior to the season, it was hard not to be excited about this pairing. Monk has been a huge part of the Kings’ success this season, averaging 13.6 PPG and 3.9 APG in 22.4 minutes off the bench. Monk and Fox turned the basketball world upside down when they combined for 87 points in a 176-175 win over the LA Clippers on February 24th, reminding everyone just how lethal they were at Kentucky. It seems Malik is having the time of his life with best friend Fox and will be back in Sac-Town at least through next season, if not longer.
12. C Karl-Anthony Towns (2014-15): The former #1 overall pick would obviously be higher if he were healthy, but KAT has played in just 27 games for the Timberwolves this season. He is averaging the second-lowest scoring numbers of his career (20.4) but was still one of the best big men in the league. Look for KAT to make his way back up this list on next year’s edition if he can stay healthy.
11. PG Immanuel Quickley (2018-20): “Himmy Neutron” himself, as teammate Jalen Brunson would call him. Quickley has turned MSG upside down this season, averaging 14.6 PPG and 3.4 APG on his way to a probable Sixth Man of the Year Award. IQ has blossomed into one of the most exciting players in the NBA this season and is universally loved by the New York faithful. The 2020 SEC Player of the Year has exceeded all expectations thrown onto him upon being drafted with the 25th pick in 2020 (which CBS Sports gave a D+ grade). If given a starting role alongside Brunson next season, Quickley could make the leap to a bonafide star in the league.
10. SF Keldon Johnson (2018-19): Keldon was one of the lone bright spots for a San Antonio team still stuck in Duncan-Parker-Ginobili limbo this season. Johnson is averaging a career-high 22.0 PPG this year, which led the Spurs. It looks like the four-year, $80 million extension he received before the season paid off, as Johnson could be a pillar for the next generation of the franchise. Looked at as the third option on the 2018-19 squad, Keldon has really impressed in his fourth year in the league. He is getting closer to closer to star territory by the season.
No. 9-5
9. PG Jamal Murray (2015-16): Kicking off the top ten is the “Blue Arrow” Jamal Murray, who finally made his way back this season from a torn ACL that kept him out of action all of last season. Murray continues to be an integral part of the Denver Nuggets, forming a dynamic duo with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Murray’s scoring averages were right back up into the ’20s, averaging a career-high 6.2 APG as well. It has certainly been refreshing to see Murray back in the league doing Murray things, hitting dagger after dagger.
8. SG Tyler Herro (2018-19): “Boy Wonder” has played in 65 games for the Miami Heat this season, averaging 20.3 PPG with an average of three made 3PT (ranking eighth in the entire NBA). Herro agreed to a monster four-year, $130 million extension in the offseason and looks to play a pivotal part in Miami’s future. It was unknown how Herro would fare in the league following his departure in 2019, but he has carved out a really nice role in South Beach as one of the best shooters in the league.
7. SG Tyrese Maxey (2019-20): One of the most exciting young players in the league, Maxey is averaging 20 points for the first time in his career this season. Although he missed a chunk of the year due to a left foot injury, he returned to the starting lineup on March 1st and is averaging just one point less than former MVP James Harden. The trio of Maxey-Harden-Embiid has propelled the Sixers to being one of the best teams in the league, and the stellar play of Maxey may earn him a monster extension in the offseason. It’s a shame Big Blue Nation never got to see what Maxey, Quickley, and Richards could have done in the NCAA Tournament.
6. C Bam Adebayo (2016-17): The first of four BBNBA All-Star this season, Bam is averaging a near double-double this year (20.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG). He continued his stellar play as one of the best defensive players in the league, being listed with the third-highest odds to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. With a week remaining in the NBA season, Herro and Bam are currently trying to will the Heat out of the Play-In Tournament and firmly into the Playoffs.
5. SG Devin Booker (2014-15): Booker’s NBA career couldn’t have been imagined when he came off the bench at Kentucky, but he has truly emerged into one of the most skilled scorers in the entire league over the past few seasons. D-Book has only played in 52 games this season but is still averaging 28 PPG (which would rank eighth in the NBA if he qualified). His scoring has dipped slightly since the arrival of Kevin Durant, but the 2022 First-Team All-NBA selection is still one of the best players in the NBA when healthy.
No. 4-1
4. PF Julius Randle (2013-14): Randle enjoyed a bounce-back campaign this season after a 2021-22 season full of squabbles with fans, teammates, and the New York media. The addition of Jalen Brunson and the rise of Quickley has definitely attributed to this, as Randle is averaging career highs in PPG (25.1) and made 3PT (2.8). Julius was named an All-Star for the second time in his career and spearheads a Knicks team heading to the Playoffs for the first time since 2021. He scored a career-high 57 points on March 21st, setting a franchise record for points in a quarter with 26.
3. PG De’Aaron Fox (2016-17): De’Aaron Fox made one of the largest leaps in the NBA this season. Fox transformed himself from a “good player on a bad team” to a “superstar on one of the best teams in the Western Conference”, averaging 25.2 PPG and 6.2 APG. Fox led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006 and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Fox was named to the NBA All-Star game for the first time this season and led the league in clutch points. The sky is the limit for the 2017 SEC Tournament MVP.
2. PF Anthony Davis (2011-12): NBA 75 member Anthony Davis comes in a close second on this list. Davis has cemented himself as one of the greatest big men of all time (when healthy), averaging 26.3 PPG and 12.4 RPG this season. He was somehow snubbed from the NBA All-Star game while finishing top ten in the NBA in scoring (if qualified) but is still widely regarded as a top ten player in the entire NBA. AD at this point is on his way to becoming an NBA legend and has all but wrapped up a spot in the Hall of Fame.
- PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2017-18): After not even starting for half of his lone season at Kentucky, SGA has blossomed into the best former Kentucky player in the NBA. SGA exploded into superstar status this season, averaging 31.5 PPG and 5.4 APG. He was named an NBA All-Star for the first time and is on the verge of leading a very young Oklahoma City Thunder team to the Play-In Tournament. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension to a superstar has been a joy to watch, as he will (probably) win Most Improved Player and finish top ten in MVP voting. At just 24 years old, his future is incredibly bright.
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