LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s basketball alumni continue to dominate the NBA landscape, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns earning All-NBA honors for the 2024-25 season. Announced Friday night on TNT, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive year, while Towns secured his third career All-NBA Third Team selection.
A Historic Season for Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander, who also earned NBA MVP honors this season, led the league with 32.7 points per game, becoming the first Kentucky player to win the scoring title in NBA history. His remarkable scoring average is the highest in Oklahoma City Thunder history. The Hamilton, Ontario native scored 20 or more points in 72 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak in NBA history, trailing only legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.
Beyond his scoring prowess, Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while leading the Thunder to a league-best 68-14 record. His defensive impact was significant, helping Oklahoma City rank as the top defensive unit in the NBA. Currently leading the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, he is averaging 29.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in the playoffs, with nine 30-point games thus far.
Karl-Anthony Towns: A Veteran’s Resurgence
Now in his 10th NBA season and first with the New York Knicks, Towns delivered one of his finest campaigns yet. Averaging 24.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, the versatile big man shot 52.6% from the field and 42.0% from beyond the arc. His 58 double-doubles ranked fourth in the league, and his 18-game streak of double-doubles with at least one made three-pointer set an NBA record.
Towns played a pivotal role in leading the Knicks to a 51-31 record and the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed. His postseason contributions, including averages of 20.9 points and 11.4 rebounds, have helped New York reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
Kentucky’s NBA Legacy
With 29 former Wildcats on opening day rosters and 18 in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Kentucky remains a force in professional basketball. This marks the sixth consecutive season a Kentucky player has earned All-NBA honors and the third straight year with multiple honorees.
As the postseason progresses, UK is guaranteed to celebrate another NBA champion, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in developing basketball stars.
