Kentucky basketball: All-time starting 5 – From Anthony Davis to Jamal Mashburn

SF – Jamal Mashburn

Jamal Mashburn is easily an all-time member of any list involving Kentucky basketball. Mashburn came in and contributed right away for the team in the 1990-91 season. He had the size and skill to immediately make his presence felt when he was on the floor. He would end up staying in Lexington for three seasons, improving and growing his game each year along the way.

By his sophomore year, he became a true star for the school. His scoring numbers nearly jumped by 10 points from his first season and he shot 56.7 percent from the field and 43.9 percent on 3-pointers. He wasn’t a one-trick pony either, he also held his own on the defensive end of the court too. Mashburn was a great individual defender and even had his moments as a rim-protector and shot-blocker.

He ultimately was unable to get the Wildcats a national championship banner but it certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying. He missed the NCAA Tournament his freshman season but the next two seasons saw the team make it to the Elite Eight and Final Four. Mashburn is currently ranked fourth on the school’s all-time scoring leaderboard.

His number 24 is also retired in the rafters of Rupp Arena. He was also a consensus All-American, SEC Player of the Year and a three-time All-SEC selection during his career with Kentucky. “Monster Mash” is someone who Big Blue Nation loved and still shows tremendous amounts of respect for ever since he left after the 1992-93 season.