Cason Wallace has Gone From Late Night Dribbling Sessions as Kid to 10th Pick in NBA Draft

NBA Photo

How hard will it be for Cason Wallace to match the success Kentucky guards John Wall, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Herro and Immanuel Quickley have had recently in the NBA?

Wallace was picked 10th in Thursday’s draft by Dallas and then traded to Oklahoma where he’ll join Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the league’s best players last season.

“It’s definitely expectations for me. Pressure, it just builds diamonds, in my opinion,” Wallace said on ABC-TV after his selection when asked about the success of past UK guards.

“Kentucky guards, Kentucky players in general, they get to the league, they stick for a while and Kentucky, they set me up very nicely: Let me play point (guard), let me play wing, I got to display many different talents.”

Wallace became the 19th top 10 draft pick for coach John Calipari, the second most by any coach since 1966 (nly Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, who has 24, has  more). He was also the 35th first-round draft pick Calipari has had one 58th first-round draft pick in Kentucky basketball history, the most of any college team.

 “I’m just grateful that I’m here,” Wallace said on ABC-TV after his selection. “I thank God that I’m in this position today. There’s still more to be done.”

Calipari was at the draft with Wallace and he posted on Twitter earlier Thursday that UK guards normally “outperform their draft position” based on what most have done.

“I remember making statements that teams would regret passing on some of our guys. Knowing what I know about Cason, he’s in the same mold. You don’t want to pass on him,” Calipari posted on Twitter.

Mock drafts had listed Wallace as a certain lottery pick, then dropped him, then some bumped him into the top 10 and some moved him back out of the lottery. But Oklahoma City obviously knew it wanted Wallace and his defensive prowess to team with Gilgeous-Alexander, a prolific scorer.

Wallace is UK’s highest draft pick since Kevin Knox in 2018 and was considered a “safe” pick by the NBA draft analysts. While he might not be spectacular in any one area, he can handle the ball, set up teammates, finish at the rim, hit a 3-point shot, rebound or lock down on defense.

Wallace’s older brother, Keaton, was with him at the draft and said he was proud of how far his brother’s game had progressed.

“We had long, late nights. Neighbors (in Texas) would complain we were dribbling the ball late at night,” Keaton said. “He has come a long way.”