UK Has 26 Players on NBA Opening Day Rosters

As a new NBA season began Tuesday, Kentucky men’s basketball once again sits atop the nation with a total of 26 players on NBA opening day rosters. It marks the 15th consecutive season in which the Wildcats have set the standard for the most alumni in the league.

The total of 26 players is based off the NBA’s official opening-day roster list and includes all two-way and inactive players that finished their college careers at Kentucky.

UK is represented on a total of 19 NBA franchises to begin the 2026-27 season. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs lead the way with three Wildcats apiece on their rosters, while the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets each have two Cats on their respective teams.

Two Cats from last season’s team have secured spots in the association. First round draft pick Jayden Quaintance is set to begin his rookie year with the San Antonio Spurs, while Otega Oweh is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Kentucky NBA contingent is coming off another highly successful season in 2025-26. Karl-Anthony Towns was crowned an NBA Champion with the New York Knicks, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second consecutive NBA MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey and Jamal Murray all earned All-NBA nods and were also all-star selections alongside Towns, Devin Booker and De’Aaron Fox.

Wildcats in the NBA

76ers: Justin Edwards, Tyrese Maxey

Bucks: Tyler Herro

Celtics: Amari Williams

Clippers: Isaiah Jackson

Heat: Bam Adebayo, Nick Richards

Kings: Malik Monk

Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns

Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt

Mavericks: PJ Washington

Nets: Julius Randle

Nuggets: Jamal Murray

Raptors: Immanuel Quickley

Rockets: Reed Sheppard, Oscar Tshiebwe

Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson, Jayden Quaintance

Suns: Devin Booker

Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Otega Oweh, Cason Wallace

Timberwolves: Trey Lyles

Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe

Wizards: Anthony Davis