Where the Wildcats Stand in the New ESPN NBA Mock Draft

The NBA Draft, one of John Calipari’s favorite holidays and where young basketball players see their dreams come true, is just under two months away.

Since 2008, the Kentucky Wildcats have had a player selected in 14 consecutive drafts, with 45 total selections during that streak.

This year, four Wildcats have entered their names in the draft, two of which are in the lottery lineup of many NBA Mock Drafts, making it almost a certainty that the streak will stretch to 15.

Let’s see where they stand in the latest ESPN simulation project from Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz.

Shaedon Sharpe

Projection project: No. 6, Portland Trail Blazers

After declaring himself for the NBA draft last week, it looks like Shaedon Sharpe will be in the top 10 without playing a single minute at Kentucky.

Sharpe entered his name while maintaining his college eligibility, which technically means there is still a possibility of a comeback. However, some reported that this was just a formality, as Sharpe must declare for the draft in order for the NBA to rule on his unique eligibility case.

Considered the mystery man of this year’s draft, Sharpe is an elite talent with top-five potential. Already with an NBA executive, Sharpe has some of the best scoring instincts in this year’s draft.

If it were up to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Sharpe could become No. 1. 1.

Ty Ty Washington

Projection project: No. 17 Houston Rockets

TyTy Washington is the only Wildcat who entered the draft and decided to forfeit his college eligibility. Coming into the season as Kentucky’s highest-rated rookie, and expected once and for all, it was no surprise.

Following a pair of season-ending injuries, Washington wasn’t playing at its late-season best. Despite that, it seems like the NBA is still high on Washington and his skills.

Fitting the mold of a combo guard, the NBA believes he could be as successful as other Wildcats with a similar style, like Immanuel Quickley and Tyrese Maxey.

Keion Brooks Jr.

Projection project: not listed

After his junior campaign, Keion Brooks Jr. chose to enter his name in the NBA draft while maintaining his eligibility.

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Brooks has the size and versatility to play as a two-way power forward in the NBA, but has yet to show he can be a consistent perimeter threat. Until he can further develop his three-point shot, he will continue to project himself into the undrafted lineup.

In a radio interview where John Calipari talked about next season’s roster, there was no mention of Brooks. This could be looked at in two ways: one, Calipari doesn’t want to pressure Brooks into making a decision, or two, Brooks should be somewhere else this fall.

If Brooks returned, he would become only the second out-of-state player to stay four years in the Calipari era.

Jacob Toppin

Projection project: not listed

Jacob Toppin was another Wildcat to enter his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility and seeking NBA comment.

Toppin excels above the rim and with his elite jumping ability, and showed his ability to hit the mid-range shot last season. However, he will need to expand his offensive skills to increase his draft stock.

In the Calipari radio interview mentioned earlier, Jacob Toppin was on the list of names set to return next season. Combining this with other reports of an expected return, the evidence mounts that we’ll see Obi Toppin’s brother back in Lexington next season.

Leonard Miller

Projection project: No. 38 to San Antonio Spurs

Kentucky is still in the running for high school freshman Leonard Miller, who is eligible for this year’s draft and projected as a top-40 AA selection. The belief was that he would ultimately choose to play for the NBA G-League Ignite this fall, but it seems going straight to the NBA is now a legitimate option.

Don’t count on Kentucky to keep Miller from turning pro.