The University of Kentucky’s basketball legacy reached new heights Sunday night as former Wildcats Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace captured the 2025 NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers added another chapter to college basketball’s most successful professional pipeline.
Kentucky basketball congratulated both players on social media following the Thunder’s 103-91 NBA championship victory. The post featured Gilgeous-Alexander and Wallace in Thunder uniforms alongside their college photos from Kentucky.
Wildcats’ Professional Success Reinforces College Basketball Dominance
Kentucky’s official Instagram announcement read “NBA Champs, @shai and @cason.wallace 🏆.” Gilgeous-Alexander and Wallace became the 18th and 19th former Wildcats to win NBA titles.
The celebratory post displayed the complete list of Kentucky alumni who have transformed their college success into professional championships, including recent winner Jamal Murray.
The list includes Paul Noel, Frank Ramsey, Lou Tsioropoulos, Cliff Hagan, Pat Riley, Larry Steele, Kevin Grevey, Rick Robey, Derek Anderson, Tayshaun Prince, Nazr Mohammed, Antoine Walker, Rajon Rondo, Jodie Meeks, Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Cason Wallace.
Kentucky players have now collected 27 total NBA championship rings spanning seven decades. This remarkable achievement extends from Paul Noel’s 1951 title with the Rochester Royals to the Thunder’s 2025 victory, showcasing Kentucky’s seven-decade influence in professional basketball. The program has also produced 151 NBA draft selections.
View this post on Instagram
In the decisive Game 7 victory, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 29 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds while earning unanimous Finals MVP honors. Wallace contributed 10 points and 3 steals off the bench, helping secure Oklahoma City’s first championship since relocating from Seattle.
The 26-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander also joins the exclusive group of players who won the regular-season MVP, Finals MVP, scoring title, and championship in the same season.
College Careers Foreshadowed Championship Success
Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable 2017-18 freshman season at Kentucky foreshadowed his historic NBA achievements, including becoming the first former Wildcat to win regular-season MVP.
During his lone college season, he earned SEC Tournament MVP honors and All-SEC Second Team recognition. He averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists while leading Kentucky to the SEC Tournament championship, demonstrating the elite talent Kentucky consistently develops.
His progression from reserve to starting point guard illustrated the player development that makes Kentucky College Basketball’s premier destination for future NBA prospects seeking championship-level preparation.
Wallace’s 2022-23 freshman season proved equally impressive. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals while earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. The guard scored a career-high 27 points against Florida A&M, displaying the two-way excellence that Kentucky’s coaching staff cultivates in elite guard prospects.
With Gilgeous-Alexander becoming the first Kentucky player to win NBA MVP and Wallace playing a valuable role in the Thunder’s rotation, their success further solidifies the program’s status as college basketball’s premier NBA pipeline.
