Underrated Kentucky Guards: OKC Thunder’s Cason Wallace is Next in Line
The University of Kentucky produces an absurd amount of NBA talent, but that’s even more true as it relates to guards.
Whether it be Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Herro or any of the other current and past NBA players, Kentucky guards have been dominating the league for a long time.
Furthermore, there seems to be a trend as it relates to production. Whether it’s the system that John Calipari runs, the role he gives his young players, or another factor, many of these former Wildcats end up being much better at the NBA level than they were in college. As such, several teams have been able to select these Kentucky prospects later in the draft than they should have been able to.
After being selected No. 10 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, there was a sense Cason Wallace could be the next to meet that criteria. Although it was clear he has legitimate two-way upside, he wasn’t able to show everything as a freshman before making the jump to the NBA.
It’s early in his rookie season, but Wallace already looks like an absolute steal. He’s currently eighth in points per game among rookies, but is scoring more efficiently than any other first-year player. Wallace is shooting 69.2% from the field, 57.1% from deep and 100% from the free throw line — all three are best of any rookie.
While it’s unlikely this efficiency continues, it does show just how much higher Wallace’s offensive ceiling could be than originally thought. Moving forward, as he integrates more into the Thunder rotation, don’t be surprised if he’s yet another elite Kentucky guard that should have been drafted much higher in hindsight.
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