Kentucky Has Three Players In College Basketball Top 50 Despite Draft Losses

It appears losing seven players to the 2015 NBA Draft was no sweat off Kentucky’s back.

A record six Wildcats were selected in this year’s draft — including No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns and fellow lottery picks Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles and Devin Booker — with a seventh being picked up during free agency. But despite all those losses, Kentucky still manages to have three players in the top 50 for the 2015-16 season, according to The Big Lead’s rankings.

Big man Skal Labissiere and shooting guard Jamal Murray came in at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, on The Big Lead’s list, while point guard Tyler Ulis slid in at No. 38. Only Maryland and Kansas had as many players on the list, and Maryland had only one player (Melo Trimble) in the top 10.

This should be good news for coach John Calipari after his 2014-15 team was upset by Wisconsin in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, ending its otherwise undefeated season.