[tps_header]Arizona producing as much NBA talent as anyone[/tps_header]
[tps_title]No. 1[/tps_title]
Since Arizona broke on to the national scene in a dominant fashion in 1987-88 with its first Final Four, the Wildcats have produced as many drafted players as any program in the nation.
The Wildcats are tied with Duke and Kentucky with 38 draft picks since 1988, followed by Kansas (35) and North Carolina and UCLA (both with 34).
Before 1988, Kentucky had 66 players drafted while Duke had 44. Arizona’s total: Only 26.
It appears as though Arizona might go to No. 3 on this list after tomorrow with Kentucky having as many as six players drafted and Duke three. On most mock draft boards, Arizona has two: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson.
But in the years to come, look for Arizona to continue to challenge for that top spot since the 1988 draft (when Tom Tolbert and some guy named Steve Kerr were drafted in the second round).
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.[/tps_footer]
