Photo via Yahoo Sports

26 former Kentucky Wildcats are on NBA rosters for the 2026-27 season

The University of Kentucky’s basketball program continues its NBA dominance, with 26 former Wildcats appearing on opening-day rosters for the 2026-27 season—the highest total of any college program and the 15th consecutive year Kentucky has led the way. The Wildcats’ reach spans 19 of the 30 NBA teams, including standout performances like Karl-Anthony Towns’ championship win with the New York Knicks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s back-to-back MVP awards, capped by a title with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.

The Thunder and San Antonio Spurs top the list with three former Kentucky players each, while the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets each field two Wildcats apiece. With another season of elite talent, Kentucky’s NBA pipeline shows no signs of slowing down.

Up nextNBA· 1h ago

Five St. John’s men’s basketball alumni make NBA opening day rosters