Kentucky basketball players ranked by NBA potential

Kentucky basketball NBA Draft prospect No. 4: Devin Askew, G

The real heavy-hitters for Kentucky in terms of what they could do at the next level start with guard Devin Askew. A star at Mater Dei in high school, Askew reclassified to join this class as a 4-star prospect and has the potential to shine in an increasingly big way as the team’s floor general.

A 6-foot-3 guard, Askew doesn’t overwhelm anyone with athleticism or strength but rather with the fact that he plays with complete control. He’s a secure albeit unspectacular ball-handler who can make incredible plays as a facilitator and has an outside jump shot that is more than reliable, making him a weapon from beyond-the-arc.

If Askew can prove himself defensively, he’s going to be a coveted commodity in the NBA. A player with his feel for running a team combined with the ability to consistently knock down outside shots is something all 30 teams would like to have on their roster.

Kentucky basketball NBA Draft prospect No. 3: Isaiah Jackson, F

Among the players who have bright NBA futures coming out of the 2020-2021 Kentucky basketball season, Isaiah Jackson might be the most boom-or-bust prospect of the bunch. There is an obvious downside when it comes to the forward as a prospect but, if we’re talking about potential, that’s even more blatant.

Jackson might be the most athletically gifted player on the Wildcats roster as the 6-foot-8 forward is capable of providing jaw-dropping highlights at any moment. He’s a flashy dunker who can rise up over anyone but also has showcased some playmaking chops as a defender and shot-blocker in his high school career.

For Jackson to reach his potential in the NBA, he needs to prove that the minutia of his game is solid. If he can establish himself as a reliable shooter from even modest range while also playing his role well beyond providing splash plays, teams will drool over his athleticism and the upside it represents.