CHICAGO — Early in his media session at the NBA draft combine this week, Cason Wallace was asked to explain why the league is filled with so many Kentucky guards who were “slept on” in the draft only to quickly assert themselves as star players.
“I feel like Cal does a great job at preparing us for the next level, as far as putting in sets and using NBA terminology. They’re slept on, but they go pretty high in the draft, as well,” Wallace replied, turning the question around. “So, are they really slept on?”
To the 19-year-old’s point, the list of established (or budding) backcourt stars in the NBA who came through Kentucky first includes mostly lottery picks: De’Aaron Fox (No. 5 overall), Jamal Murray (No. 7), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11), Devin Booker (No. 13) and Tyler Herro (also No. 13). There’s also Tyrese Maxey (a No. 21 pick) and Immanuel Quickley (No. 25) doing big things — and outperforming initial expectations — for playoff teams.
