Can Kentucky basketball keep its streak of first-round NBA draft picks alive? What to know

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Can Kentucky basketball keep its streak of first-round NBA draft picks alive? What to knowMarch Madness breakout stars rise in NBA draft
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Kentucky basketball's 15-year streak of first-round NBA draft picks could be in jeopardy in 2025.Six former Wildcats are out of college eligibility and hoping to be drafted.Otega Oweh is testing the draft waters but may return to Kentucky.LEXINGTON — As the years went on with Kentucky basketball, NCAA Tournament glory was harder and harder to come by for John Calipari. In his first 10 seasons, he reached the Sweet 16 eight times, the Elite Eight on seven occasions, tallied four Final Four appearances and earned two bids to the national championship game — highlighted by a national title in 2012.
But after the 2018-19 campaign wrapped up, Calipari never advanced out of the first weekend with the Wildcats in his final five seasons on the job.
One thing that never waned under his watch, however, was NBA draft prosperity.
Starting with the first draft featuring Calipari-coached UK players in 2010, the program went the length of his tenure with at least one Wildcat being selected in the first round. That streak now sits at 15 straight years (2010-24).
But it might be in jeopardy this year.
Kentucky isn't expected to produce a first-round pick.
The last time that happened was 2009, when scoring machine Jodie Meeks went in the second round.
And the last time UK didn't have a player drafted was 2007.
Six players off the Wildcats' 2024-25 roster — guards Koby Brea, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson, forwards Ansley Almonor and Andrew Carr and center Amari Williams — are out of college eligibility and hope to hear their name called. Another member of the 2024-25 team, guard Otega Oweh, is going through the draft process but could remove his name and return to Lexington for another season with coach Mark Pope.
Here's a look at Kentucky's 2025 draft hopefuls — broken down in tiers, alphabetically — with the NBA draft combine slated to begin May 11:
Position: Forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 244
2024-25 stats: 5.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists per game; made 50.4% (61 for 121) of his field goals, including 42.4% (39 for 92) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: No mock drafts feature Almonor's name. His best hope? Land an undrafted free agent deal after the draft and then prove himself from there. If not, a player with his size, and especially his shooting touch, undoubtedly could find a spot overseas. (Provided he's willing to go that route, of course.)
Position: Guard
Height: 6-7
Weight: 215
2024-25 stats: 11.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg; made 47% (147 for 313) of his field goals, including 43.5% (93 for 214) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: Given his incredible accuracy from long range, it's no surprise Brea is expected to be selected at some point. In fact, he's the lone Wildcat who has consistently been projected to be picked in mock drafts that include two rounds. That includes ESPN (No. 54 to Indiana), The Athletic (also No. 54 to the Pacers), Yahoo (No. 46 to Orlando) and NBAdraft.net (No. 50 to New York). Safe to say, if there's one Wildcat to bet on getting drafted this year, it's the player who has been arguably the best shooter in college basketball the past two seasons.
Position: Guard
Height: 6-2
Weight: 208
2024-25 stats: 11.4 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.9 rpg; made 49.8% (104 for 209) of his field goals, including 39.1% (27 for 69) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: Butler does not appear in any mock drafts. His lack of ideal height works against him. Still, he's a top-flight perimeter defender and the type of vocal leader every team could use. The improvement he exhibited last season beyond the 3-point arc (compared with his uninspiring numbers at his previous school, San Diego State) should go a long way in the eyes of pro talent evaluators as well, particularly given the emphasis on perimeter shooters in the modern NBA game. It would be surprising if an NBA team didn't at least give Butler an undrafted free agent deal to allow him an opportunity to showcase his skills.
Position: Forward
Height: 6-11
Weight: 235
2024-25 stats: 10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg; made 54.4% (129 for 237) of his field goals, including 32.4% (23 for 71) of his 3s
NBA draft projection: When UK held its preseason pro day in October, Carr was arguably the best player on the floor. Knocking down 3s with ease. Putting the ball on the floor and postering young teammate Travis Perry on a dunk. Mixing it up in the paint, battling for rebounds and loose balls. During the season, however, Carr rarely resembled the player who so thoroughly impressed at pro day. Part of that was because of a back issue that hampered him throughout the second half of the season. Other times, it was because he was squaring off with players who simply were more explosive. For what it's worth, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a team take a flier on Carr before the 59-pick draft concludes. NBAdraft.net has Carr going to Memphis with the 56th overall pick.
Position: Guard
Height: 6-6
Weight: 192
2024-25 stats: 13 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.7 apg; made 43.2% (111 for 257) of his field goals, including 37.6% (62 for 165) of his 3s
NBA draft projection: Robinson went through the NBA draft process last year following his final season at BYU. He then decided to return to the college game, taking the same route as Pope, his former coach, in leaving BYU for Kentucky. During the draft process last year, the feedback Robinson received was consistent. They wanted to see gains in every area, save for one: scoring, as he already had proven a knack for getting the ball in the bucket. He continued to do that in 2024-25, finishing as UK's second-leading scorer. But Robinson also presented the everywhere-else progress NBA talent evaluators wanted to see, as he posted single-season bests in rebounds and assists. He assumed more point guard duties as the season went on with the team's top two players at that spot, Butler and Kerr Kriisa, dealing with injuries. Robinson's lone campaign in Lexington ended prematurely, missing Kentucky's final eight games because of a wrist injury. Robinson could stand to add a bit more heft to his wiry frame, but given what he accomplished in college, he'll have a chance to carve out a role in the NBA, whether he's drafted — NBAdraft.net has him heading to Brooklyn with Pick No. 36 — or he starts his career as an undrafted free agent.
Position: Center
Height: 7-0
Weight: 262
2024-25 stats: 10.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.2 apg; made 56.1% (138 for 246) of his field goals
NBA draft projection: In a loss at Ole Miss in February, Williams posted only the fourth triple-double in program history. That sentence perhaps encapsulates everything that needs to be said about Williams' pro potential. He's a gifted passer for a 7-footer. And he didn't let his height go to waste: Williams was Kentucky's leading rebounder, with 306 on the season; Oweh was next with 168. Williams also routinely showed he could begin fast breaks on his own, pulling down defensive rebounds and jump-starting transition opportunities. While not necessarily an elite-level rim protector, his 1.22 blocks per game ranked just outside the top 10 in the SEC last season. And his size alone helps as a rim deterrent. He needs to develop more of an offensive game, of course. Especially given that he only attempted 30 triples during five seasons as a collegian. Will he ever be a volume 3-point shooter? No. But if he can do enough to keep opposing big men honest defensively, that's a win for Williams' future team. Mock drafts are split on Williams. Many don't list him at all; those that do are at opposite ends of the spectrum — NBAdraft.net has Williams as the second pick of the second round, No. 31 overall, while The Athletic projected him as the last pick of the draft (59th to Houston). Bottom line: Given his varied skill set and sturdy frame, Williams will be afforded every opportunity to make an NBA roster.
Position: Guard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
2024-25 stats: 16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg; made 49.2% (204 for 415) of his field goals, including 35.5% (27 for 76) of his 3s
NBA draft outlook: He's not projected in a single notable mock draft. He's ranked 76th on ESPN's Top 100 prospects for the 2025 draft, which published April 24. Taking those tidbits into consideration, and how much Oweh aims to make in name, image and likeness deals with another year at UK, it's illogical to assume he'll stay in this year's draft. Going through the NBA draft process likely is more exploratory than anything else, as he can learn from power brokers at the next level what they want to see him work on in his final season as a collegian. He's already proven his scoring chops, and he was Kentucky's best defender aside from Butler. Fine-tuning his 3-point mechanics will go a long way toward making him a better pro prospect in 2026. So, check back this time next year. It'll be interesting to see where Oweh ranks on ESPN's big board then.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.