There have not been many Bulldogs to play in the National Basketball Association but there have still been some prominent names. In total, there have been 21 players in the NBA that came out of the University of Georgia.
1. Jarvis Hayes
Hayes played for three teams over his seven-year career: the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over that span.
Hayes played a meaningful role for some very successful teams in his career. The 2007-08 Pistons team he was on made it to the Eastern Conference Finals with the legendary coach Flip Saunders.
2. Willie Anderson
Anderson was the 10th overall pick in the 1988 draft. He was rookie of the year for a playoff-bound San Antonio Spurs team. Anderson played 555 career games over a nine-year career. He suited up for the Spurs, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat.
Anderson played all four collegiate years at Georgia and averaged 16.7 points per game his senior year.
3. Vern Fleming
Fleming played until 33 years old and only had one season where he did not wear an Indiana Pacers uniform. He played for the New Jersey Nets in his final year in the association where he played 77 games, starting three.
Fleming played a total of 893 games, starting 523, with career averages of 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP)
Caldwell-Pope is the only one on this list who is currently in the league. Yante Maten is the only other active Bulldog in the NBA but just finished his rookie season. KCP played with LeBron James this season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was one of their most consistent players during a rollercoaster season.
KCP was one of the most important players on a playoff Detroit Pistons team that was competitive with the Finals-bound Cleveland Cavaliers. He was the best defender and third-leading scorer in the playoffs for the 2015-16 Pistons while playing the most minutes.
5. Dominique Wilkins
The Human Highlight Film. Wilkins is revered in Athens for what he did during his three years at Georgia. He is the best player to have come out of Athens and play professionally. That could soon change though with all of the high-profile recruits coming for the 2019-20 season.
Wilkins played 15 years in the NBA and two years abroad, splitting time between Greece and Italy. He played for five NBA teams but is most known for his twelve years in Atlanta. Wilkins is one of the greatest Hawks and that is especially great with his ties to Georgia.
Wilkins career averages sit at 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
