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Many of the top college basketball programs excel at preparing their players to be successful at the next level in the NBA. Certain programs have continued to stand out among the rest, having produced many of the top players that make up the league's entire roster.
As the 2024 NBA draft quickly approaches, many of the top prospects are preparing to hear their name called on draft night and add to the accomplishments of their university. Here is a deeper look at five of the top college basketball programs with the most active players in the NBA as well as the entire list, according to CBK Report.
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Top 5 college basketball programs with the most active NBA players
#1. Kentucky, 30
The Kentucky Wildcats boast 30 active NBA players prior to the 2024 NBA draft, with the oldest being Anthony Davis, who was selected first overall in 2012. Kentucky has helped develop players of all positions ranging from the 7-foot Karl-Anthony Towns to 6-foot-2 guard Tyrese Maxey.
The list of 30 players in the NBA who played their college basketball at Kentucky is filled with star players of past and present seasons, including NBA champion Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bam Adebayo, Julius Randle and De'Aaron Fox. They also rank as the top school that has produced the most NBA players all-time with 132 as of this year.
#2. Duke, 26
Among the 26 current NBA players who played college basketball at Duke is 2024 NBA champion Jayson Tatum. Tatum battled for an NBA title against another former Blue Devil, Kyrie Irving, who joined the Mavericks during the 2022–23 season.
Duke has produced 55 first-round picks in the history of the NBA draft since 1947. The 2024 draft could add even more names to that list as Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski are regarded as potential first-round picks.
#3. UCLA, 16
The UCLA Bruins have produced the second-most NBA players all-time, with the total currently at 104. Of the 16 current NBA athletes who played college basketball at UCLA, four of them are league champions. This includes three-time NBA champ Kevon Looney, two-time champion Jrue Holiday, Kevin Love and Norman Powell.
The longest-tenured UCLA Bruin in the NBA is nine-time all-star and 2016–2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, who was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA draft. The most recent draft selections from UCLA include Amari Bailey and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who were both selected in the 2023 draft.
#4. Michigan, 13
Thirteen Michigan college basketball players are currently active in the NBA, with only one of them owning an NBA championship. Jordan Poole was a member of the Golden State Warriors when they took home the 2022 NBA title. Poole was a key part of the Warriors title run, averaging 13.2 points per game during a six-game NBA Finals series against the Celtics.
Other notable active players who attended Michigan include Tim Hardaway Jr., Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson, Franz Wagner, and Moe Wagner. The longest-tenured player is Tim Hardaway Jr., who was drafted 24th overall by the Knicks. The most recent draft selections from Michigan include Kobe Bufkin, Colin Castleton and Jett Howard, who were all drafted in 2023.
#5. Kansas and Arkansas, 12
Kansas and Arkansas are tied with 12 active NBA players, but that could change following the 2024 NBA draft. Kansas' top prospects for the upcoming draft include Johnny Furphy and Kevin McCullar Jr., and Arkansas will have top prospect Trevon Brazile entering the draft as well.
2022–23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid played his college basketball at Kansas along with NBA champions Andrew Wiggins, Markieff Morris, Svi Mykhailiuk and Christian Braun. There were two Jayhawks selected in the 2023 NBA draft, including Toronto's Gradey Dick and Brooklyn's Jalen Wilson.
Among the 12 active players who played college basketball at Arkansas are NBA champions Moses Moody, Bobby Portis and Jordan Walsh. There were four 2023 NBA draft selections from Arkansas, with Patrick Beverly being the longest-tenured player as a second-round draft pick in 2009.
Which college basketball program do you think has produced the best active NBA players? Let us know in the comment section.
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