Kentucky Leads Nation with 27 Players on NBA Opening Day Rosters
The 2025-26 NBA season begins tonight, and Kentucky men's basketball has a nation-leading 27 players on opening day rosters across the league.
This marks the 14th consecutive season that Kentucky has set the benchmark for alumni in the NBA. The total includes all two-way and inactive players, with UK represented on 20 NBA franchises.
- The Phoenix Suns lead the league with three UK products.
- Sports teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs each have two.
Koby Brea on the Phoenix Suns and Amari Williams on the Boston Celtics earned spots in the NBA to begin the season.
Author's summary: Kentucky sets record with 27 players in the NBA.