LEXINGTON, KY — With the confetti of March Madness barely swept away, the Kentucky Wildcats are already stealing headlines for another reason: all five starters under first-year head coach Mark Pope are projected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NBA Draft. If this prediction holds, it would mark a groundbreaking moment in both Kentucky and college basketball history.
Mark Pope, who took the reins from John Calipari this season, has wasted no time in re-establishing Kentucky as the epicenter of elite basketball talent. In just one year, Pope has blended high-level recruiting, fast-paced offense, and defensive grit into a formula that not only made a deep tournament run—but now looks set to dominate NBA Draft night as well.
Leading the NBA chatter is freshman guard Jayden “Jet” Morris, who lit up the tournament with his court vision, speed, and clutch shot-making. Scouts have compared him to a young De’Aaron Fox, with one NBA exec calling him “the most NBA-ready point guard in the class.”
Another standout is sophomore wing Elijah Banks, whose 6’7″ frame, explosive athleticism, and lockdown defense made him a matchup nightmare in March. His stock soared after averaging 20 points in the tournament, and he’s now being projected as a top-10 pick.
Down low, Malik Trent, the versatile 6’10” power forward, dominated the glass during the postseason. His ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions has earned him serious attention from teams in the late lottery.
Then there’s Tyrese Coleman, the heart and soul of the squad. The junior guard’s leadership during Kentucky’s Sweet 16 run turned heads. His improved jumper and elite perimeter defense make him a strong late-first-round prospect—perfect for contending NBA teams.
Anchoring the defense was Eli Carter, the 7’1” shot-blocking machine who swatted away everything in his path. His presence in the paint was crucial to Kentucky’s postseason success, and he’s now viewed as a rim-protecting anchor with huge upside at the next level.
The possibility of five first-rounders from one starting lineup hasn’t been seen in modern college hoops. Not even Kentucky’s 2015 juggernaut accomplished this. For Coach Pope, it’s a jaw-dropping accomplishment in year one—a statement that Big Blue is back in a big way.
NBA scouts were seen at every tournament game, with some even moving Kentucky players to the top of their boards after the Wildcats’ dominant early-round wins. “They play like pros already,” one scout said. “It’s plug-and-play talent across the board.”
Though the Wildcats fell just short of a Final Four berth, the season was anything but a disappointment. With a new coach, a new culture, and now, a historic NBA draft class, Kentucky has reasserted itself as the premier launching pad for pro talent.
Draft night is shaping up to be a Big Blue showcase. And for Coach Pope, it’s just the beginning. “This group has been special,” he said. “They’ve earned everything coming to them.
