Top 5 Colleges With The Most NBA Players
Check out the top 5 colleges that have consistently produced top-tier talent, along with the statistics and most notable players from each school.
Basketball is more than just a sport in America, it’s a way of life. The NBA is the pinnacle of professional basketball leagues, and it’s no secret that the majority of NBA players come from colleges and universities across the nation.
These institutions have produced some of the greatest basketball players in history, and continue to do so today. From legendary players like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to rising stars like Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, they’ve all played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the NBA.
So for our latest post, we go through the top 5 colleges with the most NBA players in history as of April 2023.
Top 5 Colleges With Most NBA Players
1. University of Kentucky
| State | Team Name | All-Time Players | Active Players |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Wildcats | 127 | 26 |
The University of Kentucky takes the top spot, with an impressive 127 players who have made it to the league. Out of these players, 26 are currently active in the NBA. Notable graduates include Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and John Wall.
The school has also produced legendary players in the past, such as Jamal Mashburn, Antoine Walker, and DeMarcus Cousins. It’s interesting to note that the player with the most career points from the University of Kentucky is Dan Issel. He scored 2,138 points during his impressive NBA career.
2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
| State | Team Name | All-Time Players | Active Players |
| Los Angeles | UCLA Bruins | 99 | 11 |
UCLA has an impressive and extensive history of producing high-level basketball players. It is one of the most renowned colleges with the highest number of NBA players produced. The school has produced an incredible 99 NBA players.
Besides, there are 11 active NBA players who are alumni of UCLA. These include Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Jrue Holiday. These players have been able to make a significant impact on the league and have gained recognition for their talents. Yet, they are not the only notable players that have played basketball for UCLA. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Reggie Miller are other big names that have put on the UCLA jersey. These players have left a lasting legacy in the game of basketball and continue to inspire young athletes today. Lastly, we must not forget to mention Don MacLean, who scored an impressive 2,608 points during his NBA career.
3. Duke University
| State | Team Name | All-Time Players | Active Players |
| North Carolina | The Duke Blue Devils | 94 | 25 |
Duke University is famed for producing top-tier basketball talent. To date, 94 NBA players have hailed from the school. Among them, 25 are currently active in the NBA.
The most notable NBA players who attended Duke include Zion Williamson, Kyrie Irving, and Jayson Tatum. These players have significantly impacted the league. Williamson has become a rising star. Irving and Tatum have both developed into key players over the years. Other notable Duke alumni who have played in the NBA include Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, and J.J. Redick. Redick, in particular, stands out as the player with the most career points from Duke, having scored 2,769 points during his NBA career.
4. University of North Carolina
| State | Team Name | All-Time Players | Active Players |
| North Carolina | Tar Heels | 92 | 12 |
The University of North Carolina (UNC) has a rich tradition of producing NBA players. An impressive total of 92 players have made their mark on the league. UNC has consistently contributed to the NBA with high-caliber athletes. Michael Jordan, regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time, is one example. Jordan’s accomplishments include six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and ten scoring titles.
Other notable UNC alumni in the NBA include Vince Carter and Harrison Barnes. Both players have had long and successful careers. Tyler Hansbrough, who scored 2,872 points during his NBA career, holds the record for the most career points by a UNC player in the NBA. UNC also boasts 12 active NBA players, including Coby White and Cameron Johnson. It is clear that UNC has a history of producing top-tier basketball talent, and will continue to do so in the future.
5. University of Kansas
| State | Team Name | All-Time Players | Active Players |
| Kansas | Kansas Jayhawks | 81 | 12 |
With 81 players who have played in the NBA, the University of Kansas has always produced top-tier basketball talent. Notable graduates include Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Paul Pierce. Embiid has become one of the premier big men in the NBA and has been named an NBA All-Star multiple times. Wiggins was even named the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year. Pierce is a 10-time NBA All-Star, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA champion.
The University of Kansas has also produced Danny Manning, who is the player with the most career points from the university in the NBA. He scored an impressive 2,951 points during his NBA career. With 12 active players currently in the league, the University of Kansas continues to contribute to the NBA and its history.
Other Notable Colleges
While these five colleges stand out for their impressive track record of producing NBA talent, there are several other colleges worth mentioning. Here are a few:
- Indiana University (65 NBA players)
- University of Arizona (65 NBA players)
- University of Louisville (61 NBA players)
The top 5 colleges with the most NBA players are a testament to the importance of college basketball in producing future NBA stars. While there are limitations to the data, these colleges have consistently produced top-tier talent over the past decade. It will be interesting to see which colleges rise to the top in the years to come.
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