Former Kentucky basketball players turned NBA pros through the years
Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated
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Dec 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) takes a free throw late in the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
(Andrew Dieb, Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images)
Jan 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Jan 29, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
(Alonzo Adams, Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
Dec 16, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) holds the the Emirates NBA Cup trophy after victory over the San Antonio Spurs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reacts after a call at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's John Wall slams one home to help the Cats defeat Tennessee. (By Scott Utterback, The Courier-Journal)March 13, 2010
(Scott Utterback)
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Louisville's Jared Swopshire yells at Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins during the first half after a rough play. A technical was called on Swopshire and Cousins. Dec. 27, 2009
(, Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Kentucky's Tyrese Maxey celebrates with teammates as the Wildcats edged Ole Miss 67-62 Saturday. "Coach Cal always says that we try to get better progressively, closer to March," said Maxey. "It was big for us to win a game like that." Feb. 15, 2020
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Dec 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
UK's Rob Dillingham (0) works against New Mexico State's Clarence "Monzy" Jackson (25) during their game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. on Nov. 6, 2023.
(Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal)
Nov 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) drives to the basket against the Utah Jazz in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
(Jesse Johnson, Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)
Dec 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin (35) during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
Nov 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) shoots in front of Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Isaiah Jackson deflects the ball shot by Louisville's Carlik Jones.. Dec. 26, 2020
(Scott Utterback/Courier Journal)
Nov 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) shoots the ball against Chicago Bulls center Lachlan Olbrich (47) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Keldon Johnson finished with 15 points against Vanderbilt Saturday night at Rupp Arena in Lexington. January 12, 2019
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Dec 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) defends San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Kentucky forward Chris Livingston slams down two points against Kansas at Rupp Arena in the first half. Jan. 28, 2023
(Louisville Courier Journal)
Dec 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Chris Livingston (8) during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
Nov 26, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
Dec 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Immanueal Quickley gets two points with this lay-up in the first half Tuesday night against Texas A&M at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Dec 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) looses control of the ball in front of Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
(Jesse Johnson, Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)
Kentucky’s Antonio Reeves goes up against LSU’s Trae Hannibal.Jan. 3, 2023
(Scott Utterback/Courier Journal)
Feb 13, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Antonio Reeves (12) and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) keep loose on a time out against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
(Stephen Lew, Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Nick Richards blocked this shot but was called for the foul in the first half against Vandy Saturday night at Rupp Arena in Lexington. . January 12, 2019
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Nov 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) goes against San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) in the first half of the game at Mortgage Match Up Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
(Arianna Grainey, Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images)
Kentucky player Shaedon Sharpe warms up before the game against Mississippi State January 25, 2022.
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Dec 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) dunks for a basket over Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
(Dan Hamilton, Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard (15) drained a three pointer off of a screen during Kentucky basketball's Blue-White scrimmage tipped off at Northern Kentucky University on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
Dec 5, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) defends against Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
(Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin celebrates making a shot against Missouri.Dec. 29. 2021
(Scott Utterback/Courier Journal)
Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jacob Toppin (0) points while talking to a teammate during the game against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
(Jordan Godfree, Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images)
Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe celebrates scoring against Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA tournament on March 19, 2023.
(Scott Utterback/Courier Journal)
Apr 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) tries to keep the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Dillon Jones (3) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
(Chris Nicoll, Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images)
Nov 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
(Stephen Lew, Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Carson Wallace, Daimion Collins, left, and Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe, right, scramble for control of the ball in the first half against South Carolina State at Rupp Arena Thursday night. Nov. 17, 2022.
(Matt Stone/Courier Journal)
Kentucky's P.J. Washington scores over Winthrop's Bjorn Browan. Nov. 21, 2018
(Scott Utterback/Courier Journal)
Dec 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) passes the ball during the game between the Mavericks and the Nets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Amari Williams (22) drove to the basket during the Wildcats' season-opening game against Wright State at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. The Wildcats defeated the Raiders 103-62. November 4, 2024.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
Nov 26, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) and Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) at the basket in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
(David Butler II, David Butler II-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Tyler Herro has converted just 4 of 17 shots and 1 of 8 3-point attempts in Kentucky’s first two games after a stellar August start in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/Louisville Courier Journal)
Dec 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) dribbles as Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Kentucky's Koby Brea (4) changed his shot at the basked against Minnesota State during their exhibition game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. on Oct, 29, 2024.
(Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal)
Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Koby Brea (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Jan 24, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) shoots the ball against Mississippi Rebels forward Malik Dia (0) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
(Jordan Prather, Jordan Prather-Imagn Images)
Dec 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance (21) dunks against the St. John Red Storm in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Former Kentucky basketball players turned NBA pros through the years
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Dec 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) takes a free throw late in the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
(Andrew Dieb, Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images)
These former Kentucky basketball players have taken their talents to the NBA. See the Wildcats of the past play at the professional level.
