Kentucky has produced more #1 overall picks than any program in history.
| Player | Year | Team | Games | PPG | RPG | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elton Brand | 1999 | Chicago Bulls | 845 | 15.9 | 8.5 | NBA Rookie of the Year; 20.1 PPG/10.0 RPG; 2x NBA All-Star (2002, 2006) |
| Kyrie Irving | 2011 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 779 | 23.7 | 4.1 | NBA Rookie of the Year; Rising Stars MVP (8/8 from three, 34 pts); NBA All-Star Game MVP |
| Zion Williamson | 2019 | New Orleans Pelicans | 261 | 24.1 | 6.5 | NBA All-Star; averaged 27.0/7.2/3.7 on 61.1% shooting; 2x All-Star; 26.0/7.0/4.6 in 29 games |
| Paolo Banchero | 2022 | Orlando Magic | 248 | 22.3 | 7.3 | NBA Rookie of the Year; 20.0/6.9/3.7; NBA All-Star; 28.8/8.8/5.4 in 34 games before torn oblique |
| Cooper Flagg | 2025 | Dallas Mavericks | 72 | 20.4 | 6.6 | #1 overall pick, 2025 NBA Draft; 49 pts vs Hornets (Jan 29, 2026) — most by a teenager in NBA history |