Kentucky basketball: 5 most underrated players in Kentucky Wildcats history

2. Nazr Mohammed, C, (1995-1998)

One of the golden ages of Kentucky basketball was the mid-90s when the Wildcats won two national championships in three years. Kentucky sent a ton of players from those teams off to the NBA, including center Nazr Mohammed.

A freshman on the 1996 title-winner, Mohammed didn’t play much that season due to concerns over his conditioning. Mohammed’s role increased over the following two seasons as he split time in the middle with Jamaal Magloire.

The two helped anchor Kentucky’s defense in 1997 as the Wildcats fell to Arizona in the national championship game before bouncing back to win it all again in 1998. Magloire drew all the hype as the starter but Mohammed was just as productive, averaging 12 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his junior year.

Mohammed was simply a player who could make a difference on the defensive end, a skill that translated well to his NBA career. After getting selected at the end of the first round by the Utah Jazz, who traded Mohammed’s rights to the Philadelphia 76ers, he began a very long stint in the pros.

Mohammed was never a star in the NBA but he was able to play a similar role as he did at Kentucky, namely playing solid minutes and good defense at the five. Few people really recognize the impact of Mohammed’s role on those mid-90s Wildcats, which is truly a shame.