Could be an eventful round for the former Cats.
NBA Draft night has become a big night for former Kentucky Wildcats over the last decade, as plenty of Cats have heard their names called on draft night. In the Mark Pope era, it appears it won’t be much different.
Despite not hearing their names called in round one of the 2025 NBA Draft, several former Wildcats are expected to hear their names called in round two.
Let’s start with Koby Brea. The sharpshooting wing only spent one season in Lexington, but his shooting numbers are up there with some of the best in history. Now, he will be looking tot take that talent to the league.
Will he go early in round two? It sounds like there’s a good chance, at least according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. In his Round 2 mock draft, Givony has Brea going 42nd overall to the Sacramento Kings.
Strengths: Brea has been the best shooter in college basketball over the past two seasons, hitting 47% of his 3s and boasting solid physical tools.
Weaknesses: As effective as he is as a floor spacer, his negative wingspan, average defense and explosiveness limit his role-player potential.
The verdict: After making 50% of his 3s at Dayton in 2023-24, Brea backed up his performance with another excellent shooting season for Kentucky (2024-25). He’s a standout floor spacer and movement shooter in an era in which shooters in his mold are at a premium. What he can bring beyond his shooting will dictate how quickly he finds a role in the NBA. — Givony
Next up is Amari Williams. Despite his shooting restraints, his playmaking and rebounding are going to help him hear his name called. His projections seem to be a little scattered, but Giovny has him going 53rd overall to the Utah Jazz.
Strengths: Williams is a center with an interesting combination of length (7-foot-6 wingspan), rebounding prowess, shot blocking and feel as a passer.
Weaknesses: Not much of a scorer outside of his ability to draw fouls thanks to his size, Williams doesn’t have any range on his jumper, never improved as a free throw shooter (career 63%) and doesn’t bring as much defensive versatility as scouts might hope he would. He struggled when forced to step outside the paint and cover ground and wasn’t always great playing with intensity or awareness.
The verdict: Williams might not be adept at making quick rotations as a rim protector or flipping his hips on the perimeter, but he has excellent physical tools and ranked among the best rebounders in the country in his lone season at Kentucky. Combine that with his ability as a trigger man in handoffs and his ability to play above the rim on the move and he is an interesting situational fit for some teams. — Givony
What about Jaxson Robinson? Before the injury, I think it would have been a no-brainer to hear Robinson’s name called in this season’s NBA Draft. After surgery, however, and just recently being able to start workouts, there is a major question mark. His name is not popping up in mock drafts, including the latest projection from Giovny, but don’t be shocked if we hear his name called in Round 2.
Should be a fun night!