Few men’s basketball programs produce the high-level talent the Arizona Wildcats have since the arrival of legendary coach Lute Olson in 1983.
Dating back to 1947, the Wildcats have produced 74 NBA Draft picks, including NBA All Stars Sean Elliott, Gilbert Arenas and Andre Iguodala, on top of 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton and a host of other NBA talent.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
The current crop of Wildcats in the NBA includes seven players, ranging from Ayton to bench players Christian Koloko, Dalen Terry and Nico Mannion.
With the 2023 NBA Draft coming up, BetArizona.com took a look at which college programs have produced the most NBA talent over the past five years, utilizing total win shares from ProBasketballReference.com.
According to Arizona sportsbooks, this draft might be light on college talent at the top. Five of the six potential top picks based on odds are either international players or bypassed college basketball.
Must be 21+ and present in AZ. T&Cs apply.
Colleges With Most NBA Talent Since 2018
| Rank | School | Players | Total Win Share |
| 1 | Kentucky | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29), Tyrese Maxey (14.6), Jared Vanderbilt (14.3), Imannuel Quickley (14.1), PJ Washington (10.6), Tyler Herro (10.5), Keldon Johnson (10.5), Hamidou Diallo (6.2), Nick Richards (5.2), Isaiah Jackson (4.1), Shaedon Sharpe (1.2), Brandon Boston Jr. (0.6), Kevin Knox (0.3), TyTy Washington (-0.1) | 121.1 |
| 2 | Duke | Wendell Carter Jr. (18.1), Zion Williamson (14.2), Gary Trent Jr. (14.1), Grayson Allen (13.1), Marvin Bagley (9.3), RJ Barret (8.1), Tre Jones (6.7), Mark Williams (2.8), Paolo Banchero (2.4), Jalen Johnson (2.2), AJ Griffin (2.2), Cam Reddish (2), Vernon Carey (0.2), Wendell Moore (0.1), Cassius Stanley (0), Trevor Keels (0) | 95.5 |
| 3 | Villanova | Mikal Bridges (32.1), Jalen Brunson (26), Donte DiVincenzo (13.4), Sadiq Bey (11.1), Eric Paschall (5), Jerimiah Robinson Earl (3.4), Omari Spellman (2.4) | 93.4 |
| T4 | Arizona | DeAndre Ayton (30.9), Josh Green (5.5), Zeke Nnaji (4.3), Bennedict Mathurin (1.8), Christian Koloko (1.7), Dalen Terry (0.5), Nico Mannion (0.2) | 44.9 |
| T4 | Michigan State | Jaren Jackson (19.4), Miles Bridges (16), Xavier Tillman (8.8), Max Christie (0.6), Cassius Winston (0.1) | 44.9 |
BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona has Alabama’s Brandon Miller with the best NBA Draft odds of any college player this year.
Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Where Wildcats Recent Draftees Rank
The Wildcats find themselves among heady company when it comes to the current crop of NBA players.
Ayton leads the way in terms of win shares by former Wildcats in today’s NBA, with the 7-footer accumulating a career total of 30.9 win shares, followed by Josh Green (5.5 win shares), Zeke Nnaji (4.3 win shares), Bennedict Mathurin (1.8 win shares), Christian Koloko (1.7 win shares), Dalen Terry (0.5 win shares) and Nico Mannion (0.2 win shares).
The Wildcats’ alumni have a combined win total of 44.9, coming in tied with Michigan State for the fourth most win shares of any school in the country.
Ayton averaged 13.4 points per game in 10 postseason games for the Suns, as they were eliminated by Denver. Arizona betting apps have the Nuggets as favorites to repeat next season (+500), while the Suns are listed fourth (+700).
As far as recent college success stories in the NBA, Arizona trails Kentucky (121.1 win shares), Duke (95.5 win shares) and Villanova (93.4 win shares).
The Wildcats do, however, lay claim to a member of the 2023 NBA champion Nuggets (Zeke Nnaji) and two up-and-coming talents in Mathurin and Terry.
With a few more years of experience, Arizona’s cast of recent NBA send-offs could challenge the country’s top teams for combined win shares.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Get 1 promo code to redeem discounted NFL Sunday Ticket subscription and max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. NFL Sunday Ticket: YouTube TV base plan (not included in this offer) required to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Subscription autorenews yearly at then-current price (currently $378 for YouTube TV subscribers, or $480 for YouTube subscribers); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, embargoes and eligibility requirements apply. No refunds. Digital only games excluded. Commercial use excluded. Addt’l terms: https://tv.youtube.com/learn/nflsundayticket/draftkings/. Offer ends 9/29/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
![quote]( "quote")
