UK players have a large presence in the NBA, but they also account for a massive amount of $$$.
Kentucky’s presence in the NBA is as strong as it’s ever been.
Thanks to another influx of Wildcats into the league, UK leads the country with 24 players on an opening-day NBA roster. The new names include Tyler Ulis with the Suns, Skal Labissiere with the Kings, and Jamal Murray with the Nuggets.
UK alum who were not in the NBA last season but are this year include DeAndre Liggins with the Cavaliers and Andrew Harrison with the Grizzlies.
According to UK Athletics and spotrac.com, UK players’ current contracts are valued at over $659 million. Calipari-coached players only (which includes Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans) have nearly $751 million in current contracts.
In the 2016-17 NBA season, former Wildcats are set to make more than $172 million, while Calipari-coached players will make more than $183 million.
And over the course of their careers, Calipari players have generated approximately $1.2 billion in total NBA contracts.
The 2016-17 NBA season opens Tuesday with three games, two of which feature former Calipari-coached players. Derrick Rose and the Knicks will take on DeAndre Liggins and the defending NBA champion Cavaliers at 7:30 pm ET on TNT, followed by Trey Lyles and the Jazz taking on the Trail Blazers at 10 pm ET.
Here is a look at all of the Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA:
Eric Bledsoe – Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Willie Cauley-Stein – Sacramento Kings
DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings
Anthony Davis – New Orleans Pelicans
Aaron Harrison – Charlotte Hornets
Andrew Harrison – Memphis Grizzlies
Terrence Jones – New Orleans Pelicans
Enes Kanter – Oklahoma City Thunder
Brandon Knight – Phoenix Suns
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Charlotte Hornets
Skal Labissiere – Sacramento Kings
DeAndre Liggins – Cleveland Cavaliers
Trey Lyles – Utah Jazz
Jodie Meeks – Orlando Magic
Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
Nerlens Noel – Philadelphia 76ers
Patrick Patterson – Toronto Raptors
Julius Randle – Los Angeles Lakers
Rajon Rondo – Chicago Bulls
Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesota Timberwolves
Tyler Ulis – Phoenix Suns
John Wall – Washington Wizards
James Young – Boston Celtics
This number will likely rise to 25 once Archie Goodwin clears waivers after being cut by the Suns.