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Congrats to all of the young men who were drafted on fulfilling a lifetime dream last night. It’s so special to see each of these guys achieve something they’ve been working towards for so long.
Last night we saw four out of the five Kentucky guys that submitted their name get drafted! There were a few trades, but here’s how it looks for each Cat as of now:
9. Kevin Knox - New York Knicks
11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Los Angeles Clippers
41. Jarred Vanderbilt - Denver Nugget
45. Hamidou Diallo - Oklahoma City Thunder
Let’s take a look at what the mood on Twitter was before, during, and after such a special night.
DRAFT DAY MOOOOOOOOD pic.twitter.com/TAAYtK6B6x
— Kev (@KevKnox) June 21, 2018
Awesome video that perfectly describes Kevin’s mood as he was getting ready for the biggest night of his life.
DRAFT DAY!! Blessed and highly favored
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) June 21, 2018
To see how far Jarred has come is unbelievable. He’s worked his tail off and to see where he ended up, being taken 41st overall, after all the injury struggles is awesome!
Representing @KentuckyMBB, @shaiglalex checks in from NYC! #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/XQugx0RSbz
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 20, 2018
Shai went from no expectations of anything to becoming the 11th pick in the draft. His work ethic should inspire everyone.
Only John Calipari could land the biggest transfer of the year the day before the NBA Draft and then have two lottery picks the next night. Kentucky Basketball never stops. #BBN
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 20, 2018
Knox on UK prepping him for NYC: "At Kentucky, it's basically as big as the way the Knicks is in the NBA. Kentucky is a powerhouse school in college basketball,
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) June 22, 2018
so I think it gets you ready."
Minutes after being drafted and realizing a lifelong dream, @KevKnox received a special phone call #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/Amyb9QkUOl
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 22, 2018
Little help:
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) June 22, 2018
Does anyone know if @UKCoachCalipari had a lottery pick in the @nba draft tonight?
What? 2? Word. Well, everyone has a down year. @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/17XTMORfSl
Rex always comes in with the hot takes, but this tweet should show just how special of a program this is.
Uh oh Shai to LA? @shaiglalex that’s tuff!
— Jemarl Baker Jr. (@jemarlbakerjr) June 22, 2018
It’s awesome to see fellow teammates support each other. Now it’s time for Jemarl to get their next year!
Ok bet, ima make em all regret
— UPMΛN™ (@WenyenGabriel) June 22, 2018
— Paul Washington Jr (@PJWashington) June 22, 2018
After not getting selected, Wenyen took to Twitter to make sure every GM in the NBA knew they’d regret not taking him. Good luck to him as he continues to pursue his professional career.
Congratulations @KevKnox! Proud of you! https://t.co/wInjgrlzqY
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 22, 2018
Another Cat off the board. The @BrooklynNets select @hamidoudiallo with the 45th pick.
— CoachCal.com (@CoachCalDotCom) June 22, 2018
Coach Cal says Hami is well-prepared to make it in the NBA and is going to give it everything he has once he gets into camp.#DreamBig pic.twitter.com/UlbHD8jMK3
With the 41st pick, the @OrlandoMagic take @JVando.
— CoachCal.com (@CoachCalDotCom) June 22, 2018
Coach Cal thinks Jarred is going to have a great NBA career. pic.twitter.com/xapdrmfp1W
The @hornets have selected @shaiglalex with the 11th overall pick.
— CoachCal.com (@CoachCalDotCom) June 22, 2018
Coach Cal thinks Shai is going to have "a wonderful career" as an NBA player.#DreamBig pic.twitter.com/si5kWS6SHT
Coach Cal tweeted a series of these videos to congratulate his guys on fulfilling their dreams. He always preaches family at UK and these videos are just more proof of it.
Graduation day is over. Last night was both exciting and disappointing, as it always is. I’m excited for the four players who got drafted. I’m excited for @KevKnox, @shaiglalex, @JVando and @hamidoudiallo because they are all in good places.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 22, 2018
These series of tweets were sent this morning and it’s exactly what you want to see from your coach. He congratulates his players on moving and makes sure he addresses what’s going to happen moving forward.
DENVER LETS GET IT!!
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) June 22, 2018
Congratulations to @JVando for being selected 41st to the @OrlandoMagic!#WeAreUK@KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/44U4nX0Fs8
— ESPN Radio Lexington (@ESPNRadioLex) June 22, 2018
Young
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) June 22, 2018
Hellll Yeahhhh #KentuckyNation pic.twitter.com/PrtL7coVAs
Last night was amazing! Now, it’s time to focus on winning a championship and doubling the number of guys drafted this year, for next year.