Kentucky Basketball: Top 20 Players Ever to Play for Head Coach John Calipari

20. Rodney Carney – Memphis Tigers (2003-2006)

Career stats: 14.3 ppg 4.9 rpg 1.2 apg

It’s amazing that a Conference Player of the Year can barely make the list, but it speaks to the overall talent that Calipari has had in the two decades of coaching. Carney became an elite scorer as a starter, being crowned the best player in Conference USA in 2006. That year he led the Tigers to a 33-win season and an Elite Eight appearance.

19. De’Aaron Fox – Kentucky Wildcats (2017)

Career stats: 16.7 ppg 4.0 rpg 4.6 apg

Fox was one of the most explosive athletes at the point guard position that Calipari has brought in, with a few memorable performances in his one season in college. The 39-point effort against Lonzo Ball and UCLA in the NCAA Tournament remains one of the more spectacular single-game efforts in recent March Madness memory.

18. Terrence Jones – Kentucky Wildcats (2011-2012)

Career stats: 14.0 ppg 8.0 rpg 1.5 apg

Part of multiple Final Fours in his two years in college, Jones was a solid starter who averaged double figures on the 2012 title team. He led the SEC in rebounds in his freshman year with 8.8 rpg.

17. Kelly Wise – Memphis Tigers (1999-2002)

Career stats: 12.0 ppg 8.7 rpg 1.1 apg

It was a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, as Wise was a junior when Calipari first arrived at Memphis, as the player excelled once he arrived. Wise averaged a double-double in his final two years with the Tigers, helping the coach get off to a good start at his new school.

16. Malik Monk – Kentucky Wildcats (2017)

Career stats: 19.8 ppg 2.5 rpg 2.3 apg

One of the purest scorers in school history, Monk had several monster games in route to winning SEC Player of the Year. His 47 points to beat North Carolina was a freshman record for the Wildcats and was awarded the Jerry West Trophy for the best shooting guard in the country.