Top NBA draft picks from Kentucky

Summer may not be professional basketball season, but there is one thing that brings fans, teams, and college ball players the same excitement and anticipation as any headline matchup—the National Basketball Association's annual Draft.

The draft has evolved over the years from the sort of thing you'd read about in the newspaper to a fully televised event that has become a significant draw for the NBA, both from a revenue and brand reinforcement standpoint. The draft's key role for teams is to allow them to pinpoint their deficiencies in order to identify precisely what kind of player they need coming out of the annual raffle, and also to effect strategic trades either for (or with) draft picks to plan for the future.

The draft's impact at the college level is even bigger. Since it is the ambition of most college ball players to go pro, each year's draft presents them with a new chance to level up. Now that high school players cannot qualify except after a gap year (of either college ball or not) due to 2006's "one-and-done rule," the annual pool of eligible college players is the NBA's best source of fresh talent.

In summer 2022, colleges and universities across the country will see their top players try to fulfill their dream of playing at the professional level. Many schools are known for their basketball programs, and many more seem to slip under the radar while surprising teams and fans alike by producing some of the greatest players ever to take the court. For every Reggie Miller (UCLA), there's a Stephen Curry (Davidson College). That's what makes the draft so exciting for sports fans—they get to bear witness to dreams coming true and potential being rewarded. After more than 70 years, the NBA Draft retains its power to change the face of the game and help teams transform themselves into championship contenders.

With the next draft set for June 23, 2022, Stacker compiled a list of the highest NBA draft picks from [university], using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Before the 2022 draft class is decided, take a look back at the top picks from your favorite college team down through NBA history.

#10. Melvin Turpin (C)
- Born: Lexington, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #6 overall in 1984
- Drafted by: Washington Bullets
- School: Kentucky
- Years in NBA: 5

#9. Felton Spencer (C)
- Born: Louisville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #6 overall in 1990
- Drafted by: Minnesota Timberwolves
- School: Louisville
- Years in NBA: 12

#8. Tom Thacker (PG/SG)
- Born: Covington, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #5 overall in 1963
- Drafted by: Cincinnati Royals
- School: Cincinnati
- Years in NBA: 4

#7. Dave Cowens (C/PF)
- Born: Newport, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #4 overall in 1970
- Drafted by: Boston Celtics
- School: Florida State
- Years in NBA: 11

#6. Clem Haskins (SG/PG)
- Born: Campbellsville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #3 overall in 1967
- Drafted by: Chicago Bulls
- School: Western Kentucky
- Years in NBA: 9

#5. Charlie Tyra (C/PF)
- Born: Louisville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 1957
- Drafted by: Detroit Pistons
- School: Louisville
- Years in NBA: 5

#4. Wes Unseld (C)
- Born: Louisville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 1968
- Drafted by: Baltimore Bullets
- School: Louisville
- Years in NBA: 13

#3. Darrell Griffith (SG)
- Born: Louisville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 1980
- Drafted by: Utah Jazz
- School: Louisville
- Years in NBA: 10

#2. D'Angelo Russell (PG)
- Born: Louisville, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #2 overall in 2015
- Drafted by: Los Angeles Lakers
- School: Ohio State
- Years in NBA: 7

#1. Frank Selvy (SG/SF)
- Born: Corbin, Kentucky
- Draft pick: #1 overall in 1954
- Drafted by: Baltimore Bullets
- School: Furman University
- Years in NBA: 9