This Kentucky basketball trio may be the most exciting group John Calipari is sending to the NBA

Three Kentucky Wildcats were selected in the lottery of the 2017 NBA Draft for the third time in history — unsurprisingly the most of any team in college basketball. De’Aaron Fox went No. 5 overall to the Sacramento Kings, Malik Monk fell to No. 11 for the Charlotte Hornets, and Bam Adebayo leaped to No. 14 for the Miami Heat. It was a slight surprise, but this is classic John Calipari.

In 2010, Calipari shipped a pair of stars in John Wall (No. 1) and DeMarcus Cousins (No. 5) to the league, and a contributor in Patrick Patterson (No. 14).

In 2015, the Wildcats sent FOUR players to the league via lottery. Karl-Anthony Towns went No. 1, Willie Cauley-Stein went No. 6, Trey Lyles No. 12, and Devin Booker No. 13. The last of that group scored 70 points in a game last season.

Fox at No. 5 is the Wildcats’ highest pick in 2017, and he’s selected more for his upside as a solid ball-handler and playmaker, rather than the immediate star potential both Towns and Wall brought. Monk is a known shooter with question marks as to what else he brings, and Adebayo really struggles on the offensive end aside from lobs. But they’re all entertaining.

Between Fox and his father’s feuds with Lonzo and LaVar Ball, Monk’s unbelievable off-balance threes, and Adebayo’s rim-slamming dunks, these ‘Cats are made for the highlight reel.

The Kings are Fox’s team to run from the jump. He’s sure to log major minutes, and with Ball also in the state of California, heat will be had despite Sacramento’s uninspiring roster.

Monk is going to run one of the fastest backcourts in the league beside Kemba Walker with three-point shots galore, and Adebayo is ready to catch whatever Goran Dragic throws.

Though they may not be the most talented group, they’ll all be league pass material.