Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw and DJ Wagner (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky basketball has not had more than two draft picks in the last three NBA Drafts but even with so much speculation about coach John Calipari’s 2023-24 roster, that trend might end in the 2024 draft.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givens and Jeremy Woo have released their first 2024 mock draft — and remember a year ago they correctly predicted four of the top five picks just like they did in 2022 and 2021 — and they have FIVE WILDCATS on their initial mock draft.
If that happens, it would be the most draft picks coach John Calipari has had in one season since 2015 when UK won its first 38 games before losing in the Final Four to Wisconsin. Calipari had six players drafted in 2015 and also in 2012 when UK won the national title. His first team in 2010 had five players picked.
Kentucky seems a lock to have a first-round pick for the 15th straight draft and could have multiple top-10 picks for the first time since 2015.
ESPN has freshman Justin Edwards projected to be the fifth pick in the 2024 draft. He’s a consensus top five recruit in the 2023 recruiting class and was a finalist for the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year. His team won two straight Pennsylvania 5A state championships.
Just behind Edwards at No. 7 is DJ Wagner, another freshman and a consensus top 10 player in the 2023 recruiting class. He was named the Iverson Classic National High School Player of the Year, and was also a finalist for the Naismith national award like Edwards. Wagner has been projected as a future superstar for years and has been expected to be a one-and-done college player since he was a high school freshman.
The next UK player projected to go in the first round might surprise you because it is sophomore Ugonna Onyenso at No. 23. He barely played last season and there has been tremendous worry among Big Blue fans that Kentucky needs help at center this year. But remember Calipari predicted he was going to be special when he took his name out of the transfer portal and returned to Kentucky.
Going early in the second round in the mock draft is freshman Aaron Bradshaw, who is the highest rated of UK’s incoming players. He has a variety of skills but also already comes with a lot of drama that might impact his draft status. There’s even speculation he might not play all season, especially after he recently had foot surgery.
Slotted at No. 36 in the ESPN mock draft is freshman guard Rob Dillingham who averaged 14.7 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game during regular-season play against some elite competition.
Notice that guard Antonio Reeves and recent West Virginia transfer Trey Mitchell are not included on the very, very early 2024 mock draft.
7 Responses
That’s what UK basketball is all about. Not wins, losses, or championships but how many players get drafted in June.
The program is designed to get these kids to the next level and it should be
This program should be about winning college basketball games and about competing for college national championships.
The NBA delirium is wrong.
You are absolutely correct
It’s a conundrum that lentil basketball has faced since Cal had been the coach. However let’s not forget that his first few seasons from 2009-2012 our program was on fire and we also had decent years from 2015-2018. Non the less I get the frustration with the current trend of kentucky basketball. But maybe this year will be different. I hope Bradshaw will get better or we at least get a couple more bigs to replace him like Somoto Cyril. We may need one more beside him. They crystal ball says he is a lock but has that changed since Tray committed?
All those NBA draft picks and Cal has only 1 title to show for it.
People are finally realizing the guy can’t coach, he’s just a recruiter. In order to compete he needs superior talent.
I’m a die hard Cats fan,and if Cal could couch we would have 3 more Banners hanging.