June 28, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two former Wildcats were selected in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., led by Nerlens Noel, who was picked sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, followed by Archie Goodwin who was picked 29th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Following their picks, each player was involved in a proposed trade, Noel going to Philadelphia and Goodwin to Phoenix.

It marked the fourth consecutive NBA draft that Kentucky was represented by multiple players in the first round of the draft.

Player                    Drafted by                           Rd. #     Pick #      Overall

Nerlens Noel       New Orleans Pelicans       1            6             6
Archie Goodwin   Oklahoma City Thunder    1           29           29

The duo mark the 107th and 108th Wildcats drafted in the history of the program.

In just four years of the John Calipari era, Kentucky has had two No. 1 picks, 13 first-round picks and 17 total players selected in the NBA Draft.

2013 NBA Draft Notes

• Following the 2013 NBA Draft, Kentucky has had 108 guys drafted 110 times (Johnny Cox ’58 and Roger Newman ’60 both drafted in junior eligible draft, but returned for senior year and were drafted again).
• As of 2013, UK has had 33 players selected in the opening round (13 have come in the last four years) of the draft.
• Following the 2013 draft, UK has had 17 players selected in the draft over the last four years.
• Following the 2013 draft, Kentucky has had seven players selected in the top 10, eight in the top 15 and 13 in the first round of the draft in the last four years.
• With multiple picks in its fourth consecutive NBA draft, Kentucky joins Duke as the only other school to have two or more players selected in four consecutive drafts since 1992. Calipari is one of only two coaches to have four consecutive NBA drafts in which multiple players from his school were selected since 1992 joining Mike Krzyzewski from Duke.
  • Kentucky – 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
  • Duke – 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992
• Coach John Calipari has had two or more players selected in six consecutive NBA drafts dating back to 2008 with Memphis. He has three players who have been taken No. 1 overall.
• Following the 2013 draft, Calipari has had seven players taken in the top 10 of the draft in the last four seasons and 13 taken in the first round of the draft. 
• Since 2000 only 10 coaches have had multiple players taken in the NBA Draft in three or more drafts. Here’s a breakdown of coaches who have achieved the feat in three or more seasons since 2000. Calipari is the only coach to have multiple players selected in seven drafts.
  • Rick Barnes (2011, 2010 and 2006 with Texas)
  • Jim Calhoun (2009, 2006, 2004 and 2000 with Connecticut)
  • John Calipari(2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 with Kentucky; 2009, 2008 and 2006 with Memphis)
  • Billy Donovan (2011, 2007 and 2000 with Florida)
  • Ben Howland (2011, 2009, 2008, 2006 with UCLA)
  • Tom Izzo (2006, 2001 and 2000 with Michigan State)
  • Mike Krzyzewski (2011, 2006, 2004, 2002 with Duke)
  • Mike Montgomery (2001 and 2002 with Stanford and 2008 with California)
  • Bill Self (2013, 2011, 2008, 2003 with Kansas, 2002 with Illinois)
  • Roy Williams (2010, 2009, 2007, 2005 with North Carolina)