5 Kentucky Wildcats Make ESPN’s Final NBA Draft Rankings — But None in Green Room? Shocking Twist Ahead of Draft Night!
As the NBA season reaches its thrilling conclusion with a rare Game 7 in the Finals — the first since 2016 — the excitement doesn’t stop there. Just days later, basketball fans will turn their attention to the NBA Draft, where dreams come true and careers begin for young athletes worldwide. However, this year, the Kentucky Wildcats won’t be heavily featured in the lottery picks, a departure from what we’ve grown accustomed to in recent drafts.
Traditionally, Kentucky has been a factory for top-tier NBA talent, regularly producing first-round selections and lottery picks. But in 2025, the Wildcats don’t have a representative among the 24 players invited to the green room — a prestigious designation for likely first-rounders. This change of pace adds a layer of intrigue to the second round of the draft, where a handful of Wildcats are poised to possibly hear their names called.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, a respected NBA Draft analyst, has released his final rankings before the big event. In his top 100, five former Kentucky players are listed:
Koby Brea – Ranked No. 47
Amari Williams – No. 57
Jaxson Robinson – No. 65
Lamont Butler – No. 90
Andrew Carr – No. 95
Notably, Jaxson Robinson just misses Givony’s final mock draft cut, which includes only the top 59 picks, meaning he may remain undrafted despite being in the top 70 prospects overall.
This year’s NBA Draft is a two-night affair. The first round begins on Wednesday, June 25 at 8 PM ET, airing on ESPN. The second round continues the following evening at the same time and network, giving teams more flexibility and fans more opportunities to see their favorite prospects chosen.
While the draft is a moment of anticipation for many, it also comes with its share of heartbreak. Just ahead of draft night, former Oklahoma and SEC forward Jalon Moore suffered a devastating injury — a torn Achilles — during a pre-draft workout with the San Antonio Spurs. He has already undergone successful surgery, but the timing couldn’t be worse, as it will significantly impact his draft stock. Ranked No. 63 by Givony, Moore’s absence could shift the dynamics in the latter half of the second round, possibly opening up opportunities for other similarly skilled players like Amari Williams — a versatile big man from the UK system known for his mobility and defensive instincts.
Among the Wildcats hopeful to be drafted, Koby Brea stands out as a player who might exceed expectations at the next level. While he’s not considered a first-round talent, Brea offers a skill set that NBA teams covet — shooting. But he’s not just a perimeter threat. During his lone season at Kentucky, Brea diversified his game significantly under head coach Mark Pope.
Basketball analyst Jay Bilas praised Brea’s evolution, noting his growth beyond catch-and-shoot capabilities. He emphasized Brea’s ability to create shots off the dribble, excel in pick-and-roll situations, and make high-difficulty shots as the shot clock winds down — traits not as evident during his time at Dayton due to their system. Bilas believes Brea’s improvements in operating out of dribble handoffs and transition offense make him an intriguing NBA role player. “When you have that elite shooting ability and can stretch the floor, you’re going to have a spot in today’s NBA,” Bilas stated. He also described Brea as a high-character individual, making him even more attractive to teams looking to build cohesive locker rooms.
The overall shift in Kentucky’s NBA representation this year is evident. While Brea, Williams, and Robinson may sneak into the second round, it’s a clear departure from the dominance Kentucky typically displays on draft night. But that doesn’t mean UK is without star power. Two recent standouts, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, are set to debut signature sneakers with Nike — a milestone that marks their rise as professional athletes and emerging brand ambassadors.
Sheppard and Dillingham were both top 8 picks in last year’s draft and landed with well-positioned teams: Dillingham went to the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Sheppard joined the Houston Rockets. Their rookie seasons were quiet statistically — each averaging about 10 minutes per game — but both teams made playoff appearances, with Minnesota even making it to the Western Conference Finals. The two guards had strong college chemistry and continue to share the spotlight as Nike launches new versions of the GT Cut Pro 3 Turbo for each player.
Sheppard’s shoes are designed in the Houston Rockets’ red-and-white color scheme, with his name “REED” stitched on the inside of the tongue — a personal and professional nod to his new team and identity. Dillingham, on the other hand, is making a flashier entrance. His shoe features bright pink tones and debuts his personal brand logo, which references his nickname, “Rob with da Shifts” — a moniker earned through his electric handles and shifty playstyle on the court.
Their partnership with Nike shows the commercial promise of Kentucky’s former backcourt stars. While this year’s draft lacks UK presence at the top, the legacy of Wildcats thriving in the NBA continues — and not just on the court. Branding, marketing, and long-term potential are just as important in the modern NBA, and Sheppard and Dillingham exemplify how players can grow beyond their stat lines.
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the Kentucky basketball story is entering a new chapter. The school’s presence on draft night may be more subtle this year, but it’s still there — in second-round surprises, in rising stars like Brea, and in Sheppard and Dillingham’s continued ascent in the professional spotlight. The Wildcats may not dominate the headlines in the same way as in past years, but their footprint on the game remains significant and dynamic, just taking on a different form.
This evolution may even be beneficial in the long run. As players like Brea and Williams develop into well-rounded, team-first professionals, it reflects a more balanced, mature approach to the draft and to building NBA careers. It’s no longer just about one-and-done superstars or lottery picks — it’s about sustainability, skill adaptability, and long-term value. Kentucky basketball, known for high-volume NBA production, now adapts to a league that values depth, versatility, and readiness to contribute in multiple roles.
So, while the green room might not feature any Wildcats this year, expect their names to surface as the second round progresses. And if recent history is any guide, a few of them might just outperform the so-called stars picked ahead of them.
