As the 2024 NCAA tournament reaches its thrilling conclusion with the Final Four, it’s the perfect time to examine which college programs have been the most successful at developing NBA talent. While several universities boast an impressive number of alumni in the pros, five programs stand out above the rest. Join us as we count down the top college basketball programs currently fueling the NBA.
Top 5 College Basketball Programs
1. University of Kentucky: The Wildcats’ NBA Dominance With an astonishing 83.4 total WORP, no program comes close to matching Kentucky’s NBA output. From MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a host of All-Star caliber players like Anthony Davis and Devin Booker, the Wildcats’ influence on the league is unparalleled.
2. Duke University: A Powerhouse of Talent The Blue Devils boast an extraordinary 59.4 total WORP, thanks to an array of NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, and Kyrie Irving. The depth and versatility of Duke’s alumni are remarkable, with players like Paolo Banchero, Grayson Allen, and the Jones brothers making significant contributions to their teams.
3. Villanova University: Quality Over Quantity Although Villanova might not have the same depth as Gonzaga, they earn the third spot thanks to the star power of Jalen Brunson. The Knicks’ standout has carried his injury-ravaged team with impressive stats across the board. Mikal Bridges, another 20-point scorer, and gritty two-way players like Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart further solidify Villanova’s position.
4. Gonzaga University: Consistency and Contribution Gonzaga ties Villanova with 28.6 total wins over replacement player (WORP). While they may lack the same star power as other programs, the Bulldogs consistently develop solid role players. Domantas Sabonis, a triple-double machine and potential All-NBA candidate, leads the way, while Chet Holmgren, Kelly Olynyk, and Rui Hachimura make their presence felt in the frontcourt.
5. University of Texas: Big Men and a Superstar The Longhorns come in at number five, largely thanks to the incredible talent of Kevin Durant. Despite being 35, KD remains a top-tier player, averaging 27.6 points and 5.2 assists per game. Texas has also produced a number of quality big men, including borderline All-Stars Jarrett Allen and Myles Turner.
Honorable Mentions
Several other programs have produced notable NBA talent, including USC (DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević), UCLA (Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine), Arizona (Deandre Ayton, Aaron Gordon), North Carolina (Coby White, Harrison Barnes), Alabama (Collin Sexton, Brandon Miller), Michigan (Franz and Moritz Wagner, Caris LeVert), and Kansas (13 current NBA players, led by Joel Embiid).
As the 2024 NCAA champion is crowned and a new batch of college stars prepare to make their mark in the NBA, these five programs stand out as the ultimate basketball breeding grounds. From the depth of Duke to the star power of Villanova and the unrivaled output of Kentucky, these universities have proven their ability to develop the next generation of NBA superstars.
