What college has produced the most NBA players?
Over the years, the prestigious colleges across the United States have produced some of the most phenomenal NBA players.
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College basketball is the center stage for proving oneself worthy of making a way into the NBA. Every year NBA teams scout the best talents dazzling college courts to fish out their next possible draft pick. Over the years, prestigious colleges across the United States have produced some of the most phenomenal NBA players.
From Michael Jordan to Stephen Curry, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal, NBA legends had excelled in their respective colleges before making their way into professional basketball. But which colleges have produced the most NBA players? Here are the top 5 prestigious names.
Also Read: 5 NBA players who were arrested for serious crimes
#5 University of Kansas: 81 NBA Players
The University of Kansas has one of the top basketball programs in the country. Currently, there are 12 active players in the NBA who hail from the University of Kansas. With four NCAA titles won, the Kansas Jayhawks have made it to ten national finals, becoming runners-ups in six.
The Kansas University men’s team has won a total of 16 conference tournaments and 14 consecutive conference titles won from 2005 to 2018. The prestigious university has produced NBA legends of the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Clyde Lovellette. Current NBA stars including Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins, have also played for the University of Kansas. To date, the college has produced 81 NBA players.
#4 University of North Carolina: 92 NBA Players
The North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the most successful teams in college basketball. Having won six NCAA Championships, they are considered an elite basketball program that has produced NBA legends like James Worthy and Vince Carter.
NBA GOAT Michael Jordan himself hails from the University of North Carolina and has always spoken highly of the program. They have made 21 Final Four appearances which is the most by any college with their last one coming in 2022. There are 12 active NBA players who have played for the University of North Carolina.
#3 Duke University: 94 NBA Players
The Duke University has produced some sensational talents who are currently dazzling the NBA courts. Including Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving, there are a total of 25 players in the NBA who played for the Duke Blue Devils.
Having made it to 11 NCAA Finals, the Blue Devils won five Championships, coming runners-up in six. With NBA legends like Elton Brand and Johnny Dawkins, Duke has produced a total of 94 NBA players in their program history.
#2 University of California, Los Angeles: 99 NBA Players
The University of California, Los Angeles or ULCA is one of the college basketball programs that has produced the most NBA players. With a spectacular 11 NCAA titles in their program history, the ULCA Bruins have lost only twice in the national finals.
Currently there are a total of 11 players in the NBA who have come from ULCA including Russell Westbrook. Hall-of-Famers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Gail Goodrich are among the 99 NBA players who hail from ULCA.
#1 University of Kentucky: 127 NBA Players
The University of Kentucky has produced the most NBA players in history, with 26 currently playing in the league. The Kentucky Wildcats are college basketball royalty with 8 NCAA Championships in their program history.
Sensational NBA phenoms such as Devin Booker and Anthony Davis are among the current NBA stars from the University of Kentucky. Kentucky Wildcats have the best winning percentage in NCAA history, standing at .765. Legends, including Dan Issel and Tayshaun Prince, are among the 127 NBA players who played for the University of Kentucky.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)