Colleges With Most NBA Players (2023)

The NBA (National Basketball Association) season ends Sunday, April 9, 2023. Before it ends, let’s make sure to see which Division I schools are represented the most.

Erudera.com has ranked the top 10 colleges by number of NBA players (active and all-time). Let’s pass it to you… (pun intended!)

NBA teams (30) have space for 17 players, two of which are on two-way deals. At the start of the new season, a maximum of 510 players are in the NBA. Colleges are a significant source of talent for the NBA and have been so for many years.

A few quick highlights from the study:

• The University of Kentucky and Duke University have the most active players, 26 and 25, respectively.
• This is the fourth season these two universities boast the most active players in the league.
• The University of St. John has the lowest number of active players (1) on this list, but it has a total of 49 all-time NBA players.
• The player with the most career points on the list is the University of Kansas’ Danny Manning (2,951 points).
• Kentucky Wildcats have 26 players on starting rosters this season, including Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), and Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns).

Here’s a list of the top colleges that have produced the most NBA players of all time:

University of Kentucky

Number of players (all-time): 127

Number of players (active): 26

The University of Kentucky, founded in 1865, is a public research university located in Lexington, Kentucky. As one of the oldest universities in southern United States, this university is recognized for strong programs in fields like business, engineering, law, medicine, and the humanities. And, well, it produces an impressive number of NBA talents!

Kentucky Wildcats, the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team, has shown exceptional results in college basketball history. Some of which include:

• Won 8 NCAA National Championships (the most recent in 2012).
• Won 2 NIT Championships.
• Made 56 NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Produced remarkable players and coaches (John Calipari, Adolph Rupp, and Anthony Davis).

The team plays its home games at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, with a zealous fanbase, "Big Blue Nation," that never fails to show support.

University of UCLA

Number of players (all-time): 99

Number of players (active): 11

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university founded in 1919. Located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, it is the second oldest among the ten campuses of the University of California system.

The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team has had its fair share of success stories. Being among the most successful in college basketball history, UCLA Bruins has:

• Won a record 11 NCAA National Championships (the most recent in 1995).
• Made 18 Final Four appearances (the highest number of any school in NCAA history).
• Produced significant players and coaches (such as John Wooden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Reggie Miller, Kyle Anderson, Lonzo Ball, and Jrue Holiday).

Its home games occur at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. Its proud fanbase goes by the name “Bruin Nation."

University of Duke

Number of players (all-time): 94

Number of players (active): 25

Among the most prestigious universities in the country, Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. It dates back to 1838, founded by James Buchanan Duke as Trinity College.

Its men’s basketball team, the Duke Blue Devils, is among the most successful in college basketball. As a remarkable success, Duke Blue Devils have:

• Won 5 NCAA National Championships (the most recent in 2015).
• Made 15 Final Four appearances.
• Won 21 ACC regular season championships.
• Won 20 ACC tournament championships.
• Produced outstanding players and coaches (among which Mike Krzyzewski - Coach K, Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, J.J. Redick, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, etc).

Its home stadium, Cameron Indoor Stadium, is located on the university campus in Durham, North Carolina.

University of North Carolina

Number of players (all-time): 92

Number of players (active): 12

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), a public research university, is the oldest public university in the US, dating back to 1789. It is one of the most distinguished universities in the country, consistently ranking among the top national universities.

The Tar Heels, UNC’s men’s basketball team, has shown excellent results in college basketball history. To name a few, the Tar Heels has:

• Won 6 NCAA National Championships (the most recent in 2017).
• Made 20 Final Four appearances.
• Won 18 ACC regular season championships.
• Won 21 ACC tournament championships.
• Produced notable players and coaches (such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter, Roy Williams, and Dean Smith).

Its remarkable fanbase is known as “Carolina Blue.” The Tar Heels plays its home games on the university’s campus in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the Dean E. Smith Center.

University of Kansas

Number of players (all-time): 81

Number of players (active): 12

Founded in 1865, The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university located in Lawrence, Kansas.

The University of Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is among the most celebrated programs of its kind. Among numerous achievements, the team has:

• Won 3 NCAA National Championships (1952, 1988, and 2008).
• Made 14 Final Four appearances.
• Won 15 regular-season Big 12 Conference championships.
• 14 Big 12 tournament championships.
• Produced well-known players and coaches (such as Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce, Danny Manning, and Bill Self).

Its exceptional venue, Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, where the team plays its home games, and its passionate fanbase, "Rock Chalk Jayhawk," are wonderful assets to the team, known as a powerhouse in college basketball.

The University of Arizona

Number of players (all-time): 65

Number of players (active): 11

Among the most respectable universities in the Southwest, this public research university was founded in 1885 as the first university in Arizona Territory.

While UA enjoys prestige and high rankings, it is also proud to be home to the University of Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team (an NCAA Division I program), one of the top basketball programs in the Pac-12 conference. Here are a few of the team’s accomplishments:

• Won the 1997 NCAA National Championship.
• Appeared in NCAA Final Four (1988 and 2001).
• Made it to the Elite 8, three more times.
• Produced distinguished players and coaches (Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire, Luke Walton, and Mike Bibby).

The team’s home games take place at the McKale Center, Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona, in front of their loyal fans, known as "The Zona Zoo."

Indiana University

Number of players (all-time): 65

Number of players (active): 5

The flagship institution of the Indiana University system, Indiana University, was founded in 1820, and it is located in Bloomington, Indiana. It is a public research university that consistently ranks among the top 100 nationally.

Its prestige is complemented by the Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball team, an NCAA Division I program that has shown exceptional success throughout the decades. Throughout the years, Indiana Hoosiers have:

• Won 5 NCAA National Championships (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987).
• Made it to the Final Four 8 times.
• Won 20 Big Ten Conference regular season championships.
• Won 11 Big Ten Conference Tournament championships.
• Produced remarkable players and coaches (Bobby Knight, Isiah Thomas, Kent Benson, Calbert Cheaney, and Cody Zeller).

Considered among the best in college basketball, the Hoosiers basketball program plays its home games at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, while its passionate fanbase, "Hoosier Nation," is always present to show support.

The University of Louisville

Number of players (all-time): 61

Number of players (active): 7

One of the oldest universities in the state of Kentucky, The University of Louisville (UofL) is a public research university that dates back to 1798.

The University of Louisville Cardinals Men's Basketball team, an NCAA Division I program, has a notable basketball history. Throughout the years, the team has:

• Won 2 NCAA National Championships (1980 and 1986).
• Made 3 Final Four appearances (1959, 1972, and 1985).
• Won 13 Conference USA regular season championships.
• Won 9 Conference USA Tournament championships.
• Won 3 ACC regular season championships.
• Produced astounding players and coaches (Denny Crum, Rick Pitino, Terrence Williams, Peyton Siva, and Donovan Mitchell).

Alongside a cheering fanbase known as "Card Nation," the team plays its home games at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The University of Notre Dame

Number of players (all-time): 60

Number of players (active): 3

The University of Notre Dame (ND), a private research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, was founded in 1842 by the Congregation of Holy Cross.

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team, an NCAA Division I program, has its share of wins in its repertoire. The team has:

• Made 8 NCAA Tournament appearances (most recently in 2019).
• 2 Final Four appearances (1978 and 2015).
• Made it to the Elite 8 (1981 and 1987).
• Produced distinguished players (Austin Carr, LaPhonso Ellis, Pat Garrity, and recently Jerian Grant and Bonzie Colson).

Home games take place at the Purcell Pavilion at the Edmund P. Joyce Center (Notre Dame campus in Notre Dame, Indiana). Their zealous fanbase, "Irish Nation," never fails to cheer and support.

St. John's University

Number of players (all-time): 49

Number of players (active): 1

As a private Roman Catholic research university, St. John's University was founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission. It is located in Queens, New York City, and it is well-known nationally, ranking among the top 100 in the country.

The Red Storm, a Division I NCAA basketball program, has a notable basketball history. As a competitive team in the Big East Conference, throughout the years, the team has:

• Made 27 NCAA tournament appearances (most recently in 2000).
• Made 2 Final Four appearances (1952 and 1985).
• Won 8 regular-season conference championships.
• Won 8 conference tournament championships.
• Produced prominent players (such as Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, and Walter Berry, to name a few).

While home games occur at the Carnesecca Arena on the St. John's campus in Queens, New York City, "The Red Storm Nation," their passionate fanbase, show their constant support and enthusiasm.