Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the former Kentucky men’s basketball star, has been named an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in his career. The announcement was made on TNT Thursday night. Gilgeous-Alexander, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, received a combined vote from fans, players, and the media to secure his spot in the All-Star game.
This is the second All-Star nod for Gilgeous-Alexander, who is currently averaging 31.1 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game this season. His scoring average places him fourth in the league, while he leads the NBA in steals. These numbers are all career-high marks for the talented guard.
Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the fifth player under the guidance of head coach John Calipari to be selected as an NBA All-Star game starter. He joins the likes of Anthony Davis (four-time selection), Derrick Rose (from Memphis, two-time selection), John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins.
During his time at Kentucky, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists per game. He played a key role in helping the Wildcats secure an SEC Tournament championship and was named the tournament’s MVP. Additionally, he received honors as a member of the All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshman Team. In the postseason, Gilgeous-Alexander continued to shine, averaging 20.7 points, 6.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments combined. He was then selected as the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, but his draft rights were later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Under Calipari’s leadership, Kentucky has established itself as a powerhouse in producing NBA talent. The program has produced 47 NBA Draft selections, the highest of any school. Out of those, 35 were first-round picks, including three number one overall selections (Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and John Wall). Additionally, 26 players from Kentucky were on NBA opening-day rosters during the 2023-24 season, the most among any school.
Calipari’s players not only make it to the next level but also excel once they arrive. Since 2010, nine players coached by Calipari have received a total of 33 All-Star selections. Derrick Rose, who played under Calipari at Memphis, even won the league MVP award in 2011. Nine of Calipari’s players have been named All-NBA, three have been recognized as NBA Rookie of the Year, one earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, and another claimed the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Furthermore, 15 players from Calipari’s first 12 teams at Kentucky have made the NBA All-Rookie teams.
Calipari’s impressive track record as a collegiate coach is unmatched among his peers. He has produced more NBA players (nine) and more NBA All-Star selections (33) than any other active coach.
For the latest news on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, fans can follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Additional updates can be found on the UKathletics.com website.
