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Cats Galore: Tracking The 14 Kentucky Alums In The 2025 NBA Playoffs

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UK Athletics

As every true basketball fan knows, Kentucky has the most active NBA players of any college in the country, and that can get a little hard to keep track of when 14 former Wildcats were spread across the opening two rounds of the NBA playoffs.

To make it easier to follow, here’s a breakdown of each Cat in the NBA playoffs and how they performed when it mattered most.

First Round

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Western Conference

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies

The Thunder feature arguably the best fully developed Kentucky product since Anthony Davis in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), and the likely MVP is doing MVP things so far in the playoffs.

On a Thunder team that won 20 more games than the Grizzlies this season, Gilgeous-Alexander had no problem leading Oklahoma City past Memphis, averaging 27.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the four-game sweep.

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Don’t let SGA’s scoring dip fool you, as he was only needed for 23 minutes in a Game 1 blowout, where he still posted 15 points in a 51-point win.

Also hailing from Kentucky, Cason Wallace saw 20.5 minutes per game in the opening series, contributing 4.0 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds on 41.2% shooting.

No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors

In an upset loss to the Warriors, the Rockets didn’t lean much on the lone Kentucky alum between the two teams.

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Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, failed to score in the 10 total minutes he saw during the series, but he made the most of his seven minutes in Game 5, notching one block and two steals on the defensive end.

No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

This series featured three former Wildcats: Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham for Minnesota, and Jarred Vanderbilt for Los Angeles.

Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, did not appear in the series, but Randle was nothing short of pivotal in a 4–1 series win for a Wolves squad considered the underdog against LeBron, Luka and the Lake Show.

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Randle averaged 22.6 points, four above his regular-season mark, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists, shooting 48.1% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range. In the opening-round loss for the Lakers, Vanderbilt averaged 1.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 12.2 minutes per game.

No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

The only former Cat in this 4–5 matchup, Jamal Murray has built his reputation on big playoff moments for the Nuggets, and that continued in this series where he averaged 22.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists across seven games against the Clippers.

His standout moment came in Game 5, when he exploded for 43 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals, with just one turnover, while shooting 64.4% overall and 57.1% from deep.

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That performance gave Denver a 3–2 lead before they closed the series in Game 7.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

Miami featured two former Kentucky standouts — Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro — but despite their best efforts, Cleveland rolled to four straight dominant wins over the Heat.

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In his first season as an All-Star, Herro struggled to close the series. While he posted 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in Game 2, he managed just 17 total points in Games 3 and 4, shooting 6-23 from the field and 2-12 from beyond the arc.

Adebayo also had difficulty maintaining consistency, surpassing his season average in Games 1 and 3 but barely breaking double digits in Games 2 and 4.

Ultimately, Adebayo’s 17.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, combined with Herro’s 17.8 points, weren’t enough to prevent a disappointing sweep by the Cavs.

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Detroit Pistons

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New York versus Detroit was an entertaining series between two franchises that have struggled to find playoff success this century, but Karl-Anthony Towns was determined to make an impact and lead the Knicks to the next round.

In a six-game series win for New York, Towns averaged 19.7 points and 10.0 rebounds while flirting with 50-40-90 shooting splits, proving his efficiency on a star-studded Knicks roster.

Though his numbers were below his season averages of 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds, Towns has helped carry New York on its deepest playoff run since 2000.

No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks

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Throughout the five-game series between the Pacers and Bucks, there was virtually no action from former Kentucky players. Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson, the No. 22 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had his season cut short by a torn Achilles after just five regular-season games.

Milwaukee’s Chris Livingston, meanwhile, logged five minutes of playoff action versus Indiana, missing his only shot attempt and recording one rebound.

Second Round

Western Conference

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No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets

In one of the best second-round matchups, Gilgeous-Alexander continued his hot streak as the Thunder battled Murray and the Nuggets through seven intense games.

Though still slightly below his season average, SGA averaged 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists, including a standout performance of 35 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals while shooting an eye-popping 63.2% from the field and 75% from three.

Maintaining his consistency, Wallace continued to impress in his limited role, averaging 6.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 21.4 minutes per game.

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Murray, on the other hand, struggled to find rhythm in the series and managed just 13 points in 35 minutes during Denver’s 125–93 loss in Game 7.

No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors

After Steph Curry injured his hamstring in Game 1 of the Warriors’ conference semifinals matchup against the Timberwolves, Minnesota had a lot less to worry about.

Randle, already above his scoring average in the opening round, boosted his numbers by 8 points per game, averaging 25.2 points on improved shooting at 53.3% from the field.

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Minnesota blew past Golden State, winning four straight after dropping Game 1 at home, advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season.

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

In what was arguably the biggest upset of the 2025 playoffs, Towns and the Knicks defeated the Celtics in six games, rallying from two 20-point deficits in the first two games to take a shocking 2–0 series lead in Boston.

Over the six games, Towns averaged 19.8 points and 12.7 rebounds, leading the team in rebounds and ranking second in scoring.

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KAT and the Knicks will face Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals for a spot in the NBA Finals.

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers

As previously mentioned, Jackson, the only Kentucky alum on either side, was sidelined with a torn Achilles less than two months into the regular season.

The Pacers defeated the top-seeded Cavaliers in five games, stunning the Cavs on the road to take a commanding 2–0 series lead before closing it out in Cleveland with a 114–105 win.

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Recap

Of the 14 former Kentucky Wildcats rostered by NBA playoff teams, eight advanced past the opening round and competed in the conference semifinals.

Six Cats now remain on the four teams left standing: Gilgeous-Alexander and Wallace with the Thunder, Randle and Dillingham with the Timberwolves, Towns with the Knicks and Jackson with the Pacers.

With this in mind, a former Wildcat is guaranteed to take home an NBA championship ring this June.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Selected No. 46 by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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