9 former Wildcats among ESPN’s top 100 NBA players

The 2019-20 NBA season is fastly approaching, as many former Kentucky Wildcats will be on the hardwood in just over a month.

With the season near, ESPN ranked the top 100 players in the NBA based on top talent. Nine former Wildcats made the cut.

Here’s a look at which Wildcats were ranked among the NBA’s best.

#92. Julius Randle (New York Knicks)

After averaging 21.4 in his lone season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Randle signed a three-year deal with the Knicks this off-season. Finally healthy, Randle has a chance to help the Knicks get back to relevance as he will be the player the team builds around.

#81. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

In his second year as a pro, Adebayo averaged 8.9 points per game with 7.3 rebounds. With Hassan Whiteside now in Portland, the former Wildcat will take over as Miami’s starting center.

#67. Eric Bledsoe (Milwaukee Bucks)

Being traded to the Bucks has turned Eric Bledsoe’s career around. In his first full season in Milwaukee, Bledsoe averaged 15.9 points per game with 5.5 assists and helped his team come within two games of the NBA Finals.

#64. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander had an impressive rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The former UK point guard averaged 10.8 points per game and helped lead the Clippers to the postseason. After just one season in LA, Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal that sent Paul George to the Clippers.

#30. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)

It’s hard to find a better shooter in the NBA then Devin Booker. At just 22 years old, Booker has already earned a $158 million maximum contract extension as he has become the player the Suns are building their franchise around.

#27. Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)

Last season was a breakout season for Jamal Murray, as he averaged 18.2 points per game with 4.8 assists helping guide the Nuggets to the postseason for the first time since the Carmelo Anthony era.

#25. De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)

The four teams who picked before Sacramento in the 2016 NBA draft are kicking themselves watching De’Aaron Fox shine with the Kings. Fox closed in on averaging a double-double last season as averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 assists. With Fox leading the way, the Kings nearly ended their 13-year playoff drought and will have the chance to do so in 2020.

#18. Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)

At just 23 years-old Karl Anthony Towns is already a two-time all-star. In each of the first four seasons of his carer, Townes has averaged at least 18.3 points per game and has averaged more than 20 each of the last three seasons.

#5 Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

The top-rated NBA Wildcat, according to ESPN, and 2012 first overall pick, Anthony Davis. Davis spent the first seven years of his carer with the Pelicans, where he was a six-time all-star, three-time NBA first-team member and three-time NBA block leader. Davis now teams up with LeBron James with the Lakers as they look to end the historic franchise’s half-decade playoff drought.