Wildcats in the Pros -- Feb. 24

Each week, Wildcats in the Pros catches up with some former Kentucky student-athletes who are doing big things in professional athletics. 

After a stellar performance Sunday evening, former Cat and current New Orleans Pelican Anthony Davis became one of only three players with 50+ points and 20+ rebounds in a single NBA game since the 1983-1984 season. 

Setting the new Hornets/Pelicans franchise record, Davis dropped an NBA season-high 59 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to help lead his Pelicans to a 111-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons. 

Davis’ record-breaking 59 points topped the previous NBA season-high of 56 points, which was held by another former Wildcat, DeMarcus Cousins.

As Major League Baseball teams begin spring training this week, a total of 10 former Wildcats will be vying for big league roster spots. 

Former Kentucky players who hope to make a major league roster this year are:

Joe Blanton, Los Angeles Dodgers

Collin Cowgill, Cleveland Indians

Logan Darnell, Minnesota Twins

Trevor Gott, Washington Nationals

Corey Littrell, St. Louis Cardinals

Luke Maile, Tampa Bay Rays

Alex Meyer, Minnesota Twins

James Paxton, Seattle Mariners

AJ Reed, Houston Astros

Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins

Chris Rusin, Colorado Rockies

Eight of these players (Blanton, Cowgill, Darnell, Gott, Maile, Mayer, Paxton and Rusin) have previously played in the majors.

Another former Wildcat will be a rookie in the major leagues this season, but not as a player.

Andy Green, who played at UK from 1997-2000, will be a rookie manager this season when he leads the San Diego Padres. At 38 years of age, Green will be the second-youngest manager in the majors in 2016. Green is about six months older than Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Green still holds a number of UK career records, including most hits, most at-bats and most games played.