For Kentucky basketball fans, putting together an all-time starting five is almost impossible.
The program has produced an incredible number of legendary players, national champions, NBA stars, unforgettable tournament performances and players whose names have become permanently connected to the tradition of Big Blue Nation. Ask ten Kentucky fans to name their greatest starting five, and there is a very good chance you will get ten completely different answers.
That is exactly what makes these conversations so much fun.
Now, Kentucky freshman and Kentucky native Malachi Moreno has entered the debate.
Moreno is not simply another player who arrived in Lexington from somewhere else and discovered the magnitude of Kentucky basketball after getting there. He grew up in the state, grew up around the Kentucky basketball culture and, importantly, grew up as a Cats fan himself.
That gives his all-time Kentucky lineup a little more meaning.
Moreno recently put his knowledge of the program on display by naming his all-time Kentucky starting five, along with a sixth man. And while there are plenty of familiar names on his list, the combination he selected is guaranteed to get Kentucky fans talking.
His starting five features John Wall at point guard, Malik Monk at shooting guard, Jack “Goose” Givens at small forward, Anthony Davis at power forward and DeMarcus Cousins at center.
His sixth man?
Reed Sheppard.
That is one seriously talented Kentucky lineup.
JOHN WALL AT POINT GUARD
Starting at point guard, Moreno went with one of the most electrifying players ever to wear Kentucky blue: John Wall.
For many younger Kentucky fans, Wall is more than just a former Wildcat.
He is an icon.
Wall spent only one season in Lexington, but that one season was enough to make an enormous impact. His speed, athleticism, creativity and ability to take over games made him one of the most exciting players in college basketball.
The moment Wall stepped onto the Kentucky stage, it felt like something special was happening.
His freshman season helped establish Kentucky as a national powerhouse under John Calipari, and his connection with the fan base remains strong to this day.
For Moreno, the selection also makes perfect sense because Wall was one of the players he grew up watching.
And if you are building an all-time Kentucky lineup, having Wall running the offense is certainly not a bad place to start.
MALIK MONK AT SHOOTING GUARD
At shooting guard, Moreno selected Malik Monk.
This is where things get particularly interesting.
Monk was an explosive scorer during his lone season at Kentucky and possessed the kind of offensive ability that could completely change a game in a matter of minutes.
When Monk got hot, opposing defenses had serious problems.
He could shoot from deep, attack the basket and create offense in a hurry. His ability to put up huge scoring numbers made him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons on the roster.
And, of course, Kentucky fans will never forget some of his spectacular scoring performances.
Putting Monk alongside John Wall is an intriguing thought.
Imagine Wall pushing the ball up the floor, attacking the defense and creating opportunities while Monk is waiting on the perimeter or cutting toward the basket.
That combination of speed, athleticism and scoring ability could be terrifying.
Whether Monk would make every Kentucky fan’s all-time starting five is another question, but there is no denying that Moreno’s selection makes sense from a pure talent and entertainment standpoint.
JACK “GOOSE” GIVENS AT SMALL FORWARD
At the three spot, Moreno went with Jack “Goose” Givens.
This might be the selection that causes some younger Kentucky fans to immediately start doing their homework.
Givens is one of the most important players in Kentucky basketball history, but fans who did not grow up following the program decades ago may not immediately be as familiar with his accomplishments as they are with Wall, Davis or Cousins.
That does not make the choice any less deserving.
Givens is a Kentucky legend.
His place in Kentucky basketball history is forever connected to the Wildcats’ 1978 national championship team, where he delivered one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA Tournament championship-game history.
He scored 41 points in Kentucky’s victory over Duke in the 1978 national championship game, putting together a performance that has become part of the program’s mythology.
So while some younger fans might naturally gravitate toward more recent stars, Moreno’s decision to include Goose demonstrates an appreciation for Kentucky’s history beyond the players he personally grew up watching.
And that is a major reason this lineup is so interesting.
ANTHONY DAVIS AT POWER FORWARD
At power forward, Moreno selected Anthony Davis.
This one is almost impossible to argue against.
Davis arrived at Kentucky with enormous expectations and immediately became one of the most dominant defensive forces in college basketball.
During his lone season in Lexington, Davis helped lead Kentucky to a national championship and established himself as the premier player in the country.
His shot-blocking ability, defensive instincts, athleticism and finishing around the basket made him a nightmare matchup.
More importantly, he delivered when Kentucky needed him most.
The 2011-12 Wildcats were loaded with talent, but Davis was the centerpiece of that team. He finished the season as one of the most decorated players in college basketball and then became the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
For an all-time Kentucky starting five, Davis is about as safe a selection as you can make.
DEMARCUS COUSINS AT CENTER
At center, Moreno chose DeMarcus Cousins.
Again, the selection fits perfectly with Moreno’s generation of Kentucky fans.
Cousins spent only one season at Kentucky, but he left a massive impression.
He was powerful, skilled, physical and incredibly difficult to stop around the basket. Alongside Wall and Eric Bledsoe, Cousins helped transform Kentucky into one of the most talked-about teams in college basketball.
His combination of size and skill made him a nightmare matchup.
And although his college career lasted only one season, his impact was significant enough that his name remains firmly planted among Kentucky’s most memorable modern-era players.
Putting Cousins next to Anthony Davis would give Moreno’s lineup an absolutely ridiculous frontcourt.
Imagine trying to score against Davis and Cousins while Wall is waiting to turn a defensive rebound into a fast break.
That team would have size, athleticism, defense, scoring and transition ability.
REED SHEPPARD AS THE SIXTH MAN
Then comes the sixth man: Reed Sheppard.
This might be the pick that sparks the most debate.
Sheppard’s Kentucky career lasted only one season, but it was certainly memorable.
The Kentucky native and legacy player brought energy, shooting, passing and defensive instincts to the Wildcats. His ability to impact the game without needing to dominate the ball made him one of the most enjoyable players to watch during his time in Lexington.
And, of course, his family connection to Kentucky basketball makes the selection even more special.
His father, Jeff Sheppard, is a Kentucky legend in his own right, having helped the Wildcats win national championships during his playing career.
There is also the obvious possibility of some recency bias.
Moreno grew up watching Sheppard, and Sheppard’s one season at Kentucky was still fresh in the minds of today’s players and fans.
But that does not mean Sheppard does not deserve consideration.
As a sixth man, his skill set would make a lot of sense.
Imagine bringing Sheppard off the bench alongside Wall, Monk, Givens, Davis and Cousins.
That is an absurd amount of talent.
NOW THE REAL DEBATE BEGINS
The biggest question is not whether Moreno’s lineup is talented.
It absolutely is.
The real question is: Who would you replace?
Kentucky has had too many great players for any all-time starting five to satisfy everyone.
What about Jamal Mashburn? Dan Issel? Kenny Walker? Rex Chapman? Tony Delk? Tayshaun Prince? Derrick Anderson? Rajon Rondo? Karl-Anthony Towns? Devin Booker? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Tyler Herro?
And that’s only scratching the surface.
That is why Moreno’s list is so fascinating.
He did not simply choose five players based on statistics. His selections reflect a mixture of Kentucky history, personal memories and the players who helped shape his understanding of what it means to be part of Big Blue Nation.
For a Kentucky kid who grew up loving the Wildcats, that perspective matters.
Now the question belongs to BBN.
If you had to build your own all-time Kentucky starting five, who would you choose?
Would John Wall run the point?
Would Malik Monk make the backcourt?
Would you find room for Goose Givens?
Is Anthony Davis an automatic selection?
Does DeMarcus Cousins get the nod at center?
And perhaps most importantly, who would be your sixth man?
There is no easy answer.
But that is exactly what makes Kentucky basketball so special.
The tradition is so deep that even putting together five starters and one reserve becomes a serious debate.
Moreno has made his choices.
Now Big Blue Nation gets to make theirs.
