Few universities can match Kentucky's record of producing significant NBA talent in NCAA men's basketball. With their impressive eight national championships, the Wildcats have been a breeding ground for some of basketball's most promising young talents. John Wall , who participated in the program for a single year, is a testament to Kentucky's prowess in developing NBA-caliber players.
During his appearance on Run It Back, the five-time All-Star revealed his all-time Kentucky starting five, which included some interesting picks.
"I'm playing, SGA my two, D-Book at my three, AD - my four, Boogie my five," Wall said . "De'Aaron Fox at the level, he's in now… he can maybe be a throw-in… but I can't take myself off."
Is Wall's list justified?
It is safe to say that Wall's selection for his all-time Kentucky starting five reflects the college's ability to produce NBA-ready talent in just one collegiate season. John himself exemplified this, averaging 16.6 points and 6.5 games over the 37 games he played during the 2009-10 season, earning SEC Tourney MVP and Consensus All-American honors.
Similarly, Shai Gilgeous Alexander (14.4 points and 5.1 assists), Anthony Davis (14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds), DeMarcus Cousins (15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds), and Devin Booker (10.0 points) all made significant contributions in just one season for the Wildcats, as they all were confident enough to transition into the NBA right after their freshman year.
However, among these players, only Davis contributed to a national championship for the University of Kentucky. Wall's selections, while impressive, arguably overlook other Kentucky alumni who not only had more effective impacts on the program but have also enjoyed substantial NBA success.
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Players who could've made it into Wall's list
It's hard to ignore that modern-day stars like Bam Adebayo, who averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in their lone season at Kentucky, and Julius Randle, who averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds, are notable omissions.
Perhaps more striking is the absence of Rajon Rondo, who, despite modest college statistics of 9.6 points and 4.2 assists over two seasons, has achieved greater NBA success with more championships than Wall's selected players combined. The exclusion of 1990s star Jamal Mashburn, who averaged 18.8 points across three seasons, further adds to this point.
Related: "His feet was on fire" - Wall recalls Cousins calling his mother and wanting to transfer from Kentucky after their first practice
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