**“FROM RUPP ARENA TO NBA GLORY: RANKING THE TOP 5 FORMER KENTUCKY WILDCATS WHO’VE CAPTURED AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP — FEATURING SHAI GILGEOUS‑ALEXANDER’S METEORIC RISE…”**
🏆 Top 5 Kentucky Wildcats with NBA Championships
1. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (Kentucky ’17–18)
Current status: 2025 NBA MVP, scoring champion, and leading the OKC Thunder into the NBA Finals .
Why he ranks #1: SGA’s unique combination—a league-high 32.7 ppg, elite efficiency, and a franchise-first MVP—already cements him as Kentucky’s most decorated NBA player. Now, he stands on the brink of Gold with his first championship.
Meteoric rise: From SEC Tournament MVP at one-and-done Kentucky to dominating all the way to the MVP award, his journey redefines the Wildcat legacy.
2. Jamal Murray (Kentucky ’15–16)
Championship: Won in 2023 with the Denver Nuggets.
Legacy: A pivotal contributor to Denver’s triumph, averaging over 21 ppg in that season . Known for postseason resilience and clutch performances.
3. Anthony Davis (Kentucky ’11–12)
Championship: Claimed the 2020 title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Legacy: One of Kentucky’s all-time greats, Davis led the team to a national title and later anchored one of the Lakers’ greatest playoff runs .
4. Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky ’98–02)
Championship: Starred in Detroit’s 2004 championship, famed for his defense against Kobe Bryant .
Legacy: A cornerstone of the Pistons’ defensive-first identity, Prince earned his place among Kentucky’s defensive all-stars.
5. Pat Riley (Kentucky ’64–67)
Championship: Won as a player with the Lakers in 1972; later a legendary coach/executive, winning multiple titles .
Legacy: His impact transcends stats—Riley’s ring as a player adds historical depth to the Wildcats, and his legendary coaching cements his status among basketball’s elite.
🧭 Honorable Mentions
Rajon Rondo – Rings with Celtics (2008) and Lakers (2020)
Derek Anderson & Antoine Walker – Both won in 2006 with the Miami Heat
Kevin Grevey, Rick Robey, Larry Steele, Dan Swartz, Nazr Mohammed – 1970s champs across Blazers, Celtics, Bullets, Spurs
🔍 SGA: Next Legend or Potential What‑If?
Historical firsts: Kentucky’s first NBA MVP and scoring leader .
Final frontier: Now playing in his first NBA Finals, he’s on track to become the first Kentucky player to win an NBA championship as MVP-leading star .
What-if scenario: If the Thunder fall short, he risks joining Kentucky’s draft elite as the biggest “what-if”—an MVP without a ring. His legacy could hinge on this Finals appearance.
🏁 Final Ranking
Rank Player NBA Title(s) Kentucky Era Notable Impact
1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Potential 2025) 2017–18 First MVP, Finals run
2 Jamal Murray 2023 2015–16 Clutch postseason star
3 Anthony Davis 2020 2011–12 Franchise pillar
4 Tayshaun Prince 2004 1998–2002 Defensive cornerstones
5 Pat Riley 1972 (player) + coach rings 1964–67 Era-spanning dynasty
📌 Conclusion
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander is writing a new chapter in Kentucky NBA history. As the first former Wildcat MVP and leading the Thunder in their first Finals run since 2012, his impending championship could elevate him above all past Ring‑winners from Lexington. Until then, he’s chasing history—but even without the ring, his resume stands among the best Wildcats ever.
Will he complete the final piece? Big Blue Nation watches with bated breath.
