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Which college has the most first round picks in NBA Draft history?

By Mat Issa

Mar 2, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) walks off the court after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) walks off the court after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
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The 2024 NBA Draft is nearly upon us, with the first round (there are two days of the draft this year) set to begin on Wednesday, June 26, at 8:00 PM EST. The Sacramento Kings will have the 13th pick in the first round (and the 15th pick – 45th overall – in the second round).

In honor of this glorious occasion, let's take a look at which colleges have produced the most first-round picks in NBA history.

Most First Round Picks In NBA History

Here are the top 10 teams (technically eleven) in terms of first round picks produced:

Rank

Team

First Round Picks Produced

1

Kentucky

58

2

Duke

55

3

North Carolina

53

4

UCLA

41

5

Kansas

36

6

Michigan

30

7

Indiana

28

8

Arizona

26

9

Ohio State

25

T-10

Louisville

24

T-10

Syracuse

24

The top of this chart should come as no surprise to anyone with any sort of familiarity with college basketball, as the Kentucky Wildcats (58), Duke Blue Devils (55), and North Carolina Tar Heels (53) have produced the most first round picks in NBA history.

After them, we have the UCLA Bruins (41), Kansas Jayhawks (36), Michigan Wolverines (30), and Indiana Hoosiers (28). And rounding out the top 10 are the Arizona Wildcats (26), Ohio State Buckeyes (25), and tied for the number ten spot, the Louisville Cardinals and Syracuse Orange (24).

Will There Be Any Changes In The Top 10 This Year?

Kentucky should remain in the top spot, as Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham both seem like locks to go in the first round (some media outlets project us to draft Dillingham). Duke also has two players with strong chances of being selected in the first round: Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski. North Carolina won't be catching either of those teams, as their only big name in the draft is Harrison Ingram, but he isn't getting any first round buzz as of right now.

The UConn Huskies (22 first round picks produced) could climb into the top 10, as both Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle are mocked to be lottery picks. If that happens, and no one from Louisville and Syracuse is selected in the first round (which almost certainly will be what happens), UConn would enter into a three-way tie for the tenth spot.

Some other names in the top 10 who could have first round picks this year include Kansas (Johnny Furphy and Kevin McCullar), UCLA (Adem Bona), and Indiana (Kel'el Ware).

Next. 7 Potential Prospects. 7 Potential Prospects For The 13th Overall Pick. dark

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