Taking on the topic of the best Kentucky Wildcat basketball players to ever play pro basketball, is a topic I would never want to breech on my own. My knowledge of individual players, prior to the mid 70’s, is just too limited for me to provide any intelligent input.
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Yahoo sports has decided to delve into the pit of Kentucky controversy as they create, based on a sophisticated formula, their top 11 all times. There have been 71 players who have gone from Kentucky to the NBA/ABA. The list doesn’t include anyone who has transferred from Kentucky.
Here, based on an algorithm too long for me to even try to explain, are the Top 11 NBA/ABA players of all time from the University of Kentucky [B]according to Yahoo Sports[/B].
[B]11. Rajon Rondo (2007-2011)[/B]
Points – 7.4
Rebounds – 4.4
Assists – 10.7
Rondo may jump a bit on this list if he continues his improvement. Rondo just keeps getting better. Currently in his fifth year, Rondo is leading the lead in assists and is second in steals. Many Wildcat fans didn’t see this coming from Rondo when he left Kentucky but he is the best player on the Boston Celtics.
[B]10. DeMarcus Cousins (2010-2011)[/B]
Points – 13.8
Rebounds – 7.9
Assists – 1.8
Cousins came to the NBA with some maturity issues. However, he has settled in nicely in his first year and is rapidly becoming a monster for the Sacramento Kings.
[B]9. Frank Ramsey (1955-1964)[/B]
Points – 13.4
Rebounds – 5.5
Assists – 1.8
Ramsey played for the dominant Celtics of his day so he was a member of seven championship teams. He is in the Hall of Fame and his #23 was retired by the Celtics.
[B]8. Louie Dampier (1968-1979)[/B]
Points – 15.9
Rebounds – 2.6
Assists – 4.9
Dampier played his best years in the ABA and is one of the best three point shooters of all-time. His 199 three pointers in 1968-69 was a pro record until 1995.
[B]7. Antoine Walker (1997-2008)[/B]
Points – 17.5
Rebounds – 7.7
Assists – 3.5
Walker was a great player who played in three all-star games. He and Paul Pierce made up a 1-2 punch for the Boston Celtics. Walker could do it all – he hit threes, rebounded, and was an exceptional passer. He averaged more than 20 points per game five times.
[B]6. Cliff Hagan (1957-1970)[/B]
Points – 17.7
Rebounds – 6.6
Assists – 3.2
Hagan was known for his hook shot. The Celtics traded him and Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks for the draft rights to Bill Russell. Hagan played in five all-star games.
[B]5. Ralph Beard (1950-1951)[/B]
Points – 15.9
Rebounds – 3.8
Assists – 4.4
Beard only played two seasons in the NBA. He and Alex Groza were banned for their participation in a point shaving scandal at Kentucky. He did well in his short stint, though.
[B]4. John Wall (2011-2011)[/B]
Points – 14.8
Rebounds – 4.2
Assists – 9.1
Wall was the first pick in the NBA draft in 2010 and obviously has a terrific career ahead of him. In his first 28 games, Wall racked up 259 assists which is second all-time. Wall has dealt with nagging injuries all year but he will be a fantastic player for years to come.
[B]3. Jamal Mashburn (1994-2004)[/B]
Points – 19.1
Rebounds – 5.4
Assists – 4
Mashburn is another player who could do it all. He was one of the best forwards in the league during his career but played in only one all-star game.
[B]2. Alex Groza (1950-1951)[/B]
Points – 22.5
Rebounds – 10.7
Assists – 2.4
Like Beard, Groza was banned from the NBA for point shaving. He would certainly be known as an all-time great if not for that.
[B]1. Dan Issel (1971-1985)[/B]
Points – 22.6
Rebounds – 9.1
Assists – 2.4
Any casual UK fan should not be surprised that Issel is at the top of this list. His first six years were spent in the ABA where he dominated. He put up 30.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in the 1971-72 season. He is 8th on the all-time scoring list in ABA/NBA history with 27,482 points. Issel is in the Hall of Fame.
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Issel seems the obvious select. Cousins and Wall were surprised selects to me. The fact that they have yet to complete an entire season would throw them out of the mix for now. Eventually I believe they both will rank highly among all players, if not at the top.
Whose is missing from the list? Got an opinion here?
Go Cats!!!
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ycn-7819902″]
Complete story at Rivals.com[/URL]
