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NBA draft history for UK

JonathanW

All-American
Jan 3, 2003
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I was curious as how Cal's players have been drafted compared to the all-time list of UK players.
Of course it is difficult to compare across eras, when there were many fewer teams, and fewer competitive colleges, and even a competing league (for example Issel was an 8th round pick because I assume he had already signed with the ABA).

But in UK's storied history, pre-Calipari, UK had a total of 12 top 10 draft picks. No #1's, 2 #2's, and then 1-2 for each spot from #4 to #9 (except 4 #6's).
In Cal's 8 years, not counting Kanter since he never played for UK, UK has had 12 top 10 draft picks. Three #1's, 1 #2, and then 1-2 for each spot from #4 to #8.
Yes, Cal has had the same number of players taken in the top 10, as did Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Smith, and Gillespi combined.

Interesting is that there has never been a player that played for UK picked #3. However Kanter was taken #3.
There has also not been a UK player taken #10, #15, or #20.
There have been 6 UK players taken #6, and 5 taken #13.
 
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Here's a graphic showing the number of UK players chosen from among the top 30 overall picks in the NBA draft.
nba_draft_picks_by_overall_pick.jpg
 
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