A pair of former Kentucky Wildcats found their names included in ESPN’s final NBA Mock Draft projections.
Two former Kentucky Wildcats being featured in ESPN’s final NBA Mock Draft serves as yet another testament to the lasting impact the program continues to have on the NBA pipeline. For decades, Kentucky has been recognized as one of the premier basketball powerhouses in the country, sending elite talent to the next level year after year. With the release of ESPN’s final mock draft ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, the attention once again shifted toward the Wildcats, and specifically to two former standouts who have garnered significant attention from scouts, general managers, and front office decision-makers around the league. While the mock draft doesn’t guarantee a selection, it provides the clearest glimpse into how evaluators view the talent pool heading into draft night.
The two players representing the Kentucky legacy in this year’s mock are players who took very different paths to arrive at this point. One of them, a high-upside forward who showcased defensive versatility and flashes of offensive growth during his time in Lexington, and the other, a reliable guard whose leadership, toughness, and IQ made him a fan favorite and respected voice in the locker room. Together, they reflect the diversity of talent Kentucky develops, from blue-chip five-star prospects to battle-tested veterans who raise their games when it matters most.
It’s impossible to overstate the significance of being included in the final edition of ESPN’s mock draft. With front office executives closely monitoring such projections, inclusion at this late stage indicates a legitimate belief that these players have what it takes to contribute at the professional level. And for Kentucky fans who watched these players develop in blue and white, it’s a moment of pride, knowing that their school continues to produce athletes who earn recognition among basketball’s elite.
One of the players projected in ESPN’s final mock is Adou Thiero, a 6-foot-8 hybrid wing whose progression during his college years caught the attention of scouts looking for length, athleticism, and two-way potential. Thiero wasn’t always on the radar as a surefire draft pick, but his relentless work ethic, defensive mindset, and willingness to do the dirty work for his team helped separate him from the crowd. Over time, he carved out a meaningful role for Kentucky, especially on the defensive end, where his ability to switch across multiple positions proved to be a valuable asset.
Thiero’s offensive game also came along, though scouts still see plenty of room for growth. He showed a better feel for the game each year, improving his handle, passing vision, and shooting mechanics. What NBA teams likely find most appealing, however, is his combination of length and lateral movement. In a league that increasingly prioritizes players who can guard 1-through-4 and provide value in transition, Thiero’s potential is hard to ignore. ESPN projected him to go 36th overall to the Brooklyn Nets, a team that has shown a willingness to invest in developing young, positionless talent with upside.
Landing in Brooklyn could provide Thiero with the perfect situation to continue his growth. The Nets are in a period of transition, retooling their roster and identity after a star-studded era that didn’t yield the results they hoped for. With playing time and development opportunities more available than they might be on a championship contender, Thiero could benefit from an environment where his role can expand gradually without overwhelming expectations from day one. His defense could earn him early minutes, and if his shooting continues to improve, he might become a mainstay in an NBA rotation sooner than many expected when he first arrived at Kentucky.
The other Kentucky player featured in the mock draft is Andrew Carr, a versatile frontcourt presence who transferred into the program and made an immediate impact with his maturity, physicality, and understanding of the game. At 6-foot-10, Carr offered the Wildcats a unique blend of size, rebounding, and mid-range shooting touch that made him a reliable contributor throughout the season. His ability to operate in pick-and-pop scenarios, finish around the basket, and guard opposing bigs gave Kentucky crucial frontcourt stability, especially during stretches when injuries or foul trouble threatened to disrupt their rotation.
Carr may not have the same athletic upside as some of the more explosive prospects in the draft, but his readiness to contribute and high basketball IQ earned him recognition as a potential second-round steal. NBA teams are often in search of players who can fill specific roles without needing high usage or lengthy development periods. Carr fits that mold perfectly. ESPN has him projected toward the latter half of the second round, and the team selecting him will likely view him as someone who could step into a backup big man role while also serving as a valuable locker room presence.
What makes Carr’s rise to draft consideration even more remarkable is how his career path unfolded. Not a five-star recruit or one-and-done player, Carr climbed the ranks through hard work, transferring and adapting to different systems while continuing to improve each season. By the time he arrived at Kentucky, he brought with him the kind of experience and leadership that can often be undervalued in scouting reports but makes a difference in high-pressure moments. He embraced his role, stayed within himself, and played winning basketball—attributes that don’t always show up in highlight reels but are cherished by coaches and teammates alike.
While neither Thiero nor Carr is expected to be a lottery pick, their inclusion in ESPN’s final mock highlights the many different ways players can make it to the NBA. For Thiero, it was about showing untapped upside and athleticism, convincing teams that with the right guidance, he could blossom into a reliable rotation piece or even more. For Carr, it was about proving that polished, experienced bigs still have a place in a league often obsessed with youth and ceiling. Together, their journeys reflect the broader narrative of Kentucky basketball—where stars are born, but role players are also celebrated, and the goal is always to win as a team while maximizing each individual’s potential.
Beyond individual accolades, the mock draft inclusion of two Wildcats continues to build on the legacy of the Kentucky program under Coach John Calipari and now his successor. Kentucky’s reputation as a factory for NBA talent is supported not only by the number of players selected each year but by the variety of skill sets they bring to the next level. From lottery-bound phenoms to grinders who claw their way into the second round, the Wildcats consistently send players into the league who understand what it takes to compete, improve, and thrive in high-stakes environments.
For fans of the program, watching Thiero and Carr potentially hear their names called on draft night will be a moment of both nostalgia and celebration. These players carried the Kentucky banner with pride, gave their all on the court, and now stand on the cusp of fulfilling lifelong dreams. Whether they find themselves contributing immediately or embarking on a longer development path, their stories are far from finished.
It’s also worth considering how their selections—if confirmed on draft night—could shape the perception of Kentucky’s current recruiting and transfer strategies. Having a player like Carr, a transfer who wasn’t a five-star high school recruit, make the draft validates the program’s approach to blending youth with experience. At the same time, seeing a developmental player like Thiero reach this level confirms that Kentucky remains a place where players can refine their games and elevate their stock, even if they don’t dominate the college scene from day one.
Ultimately, ESPN’s final mock draft inclusion is more than just a projection. It’s an acknowledgment of hard work, growth, and belief—belief from coaches, belief from teammates, and belief from NBA evaluators who see something special in two players molded by one of college basketball’s most storied programs. As draft night approaches and the basketball world tunes in to see who the next wave of stars will be, the names of Adou Thiero and Andrew Carr serve as reminders that there’s more than one path to the NBA—and Kentucky remains one of the best places to start that journey.
