5 college teams with most NBA players drafted since 2010 ft. Joel Embiid
The NBA draft landscape is slowly changing. The 2024 version saw foreign players filling the first two spots for the first time. Moreover, programs like UConn, Colorado and Baylor emerged as the top schools to generate the most draft picks, even more than traditional powerhouses like Kansas, Duke and Kentucky. Nevertheless, the college circuit remains the most common route to the big league.
Here's a closer look at the top five college teams that have produced the most NBA-caliber players and had the most impact on the global league since 2010.
5 college teams with most NBA players since 2010
#5. Arizona - 17 players drafted since 2010
The University of Arizona has seen 17 of its Wildcats make the big league leap since 2010 behind its rich basketball culture.
While the program is yet to produce a global superstar, players like Aaron Gordon and Lauri Markkanen have turned out to be integral pieces of winning basketball.
#4. North Carolina - 19 players drafted since 2010
Home of players like Michael Jordan and Vince Carter, North Carolina has produced a lineup of up-and-coming role players in recent years. With names like Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Coby White and Cameron Johnson, it has seen 19 Tar Heels get drafted since 2010.
It can add one more to the list if Armando Bacot manages to impress the scouts in the Summer League. Bacot went undrafted in the 2024 draft but was offered an Exhibit 10 contract by the Utah Jazz.
#3. Kansas - 25 players drafted since 2010
The Kansas Jayhawks have had a Final Four appearance (2018), a Finals appearance (2012) and an NCAA title (2022) since 2010. The program has consistently evolved under Bill Self’s 21-year-long coaching tenure.
It has produced a total of 25 NBA players since 2010, including a few of the most versatile forwards like Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid.
#2. Duke - 40 players drafted since 2010
Mike Krzyzewski nurtured 40 NBA-caliber players from 2010-2022 while the latest four come through Jon Scheyer. Duke’s players are known for their elite fundamentals and tough basketball and players like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum and Paolo Banchero continue to showcase it in the big league.
Duke has been responsible for arguably the most-hyped player since 2003 when Zion Williamson was picked No. 1 in the 2019 draft.
#1. Kentucky Wildcats - 50 players drafted since 2010
Kentucky has a longstanding reputation for being the breeding ground of NBA-level talent and is also the all-time frontrunner. Even though the program is more than a decade separated from its latest NCAA championship, strong recruiting and player development programs under John Calipari continued its dominance in the collegiate circuit, with 50 players being drafted since 2010.