May 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET

The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.

And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club’s alumni have been taken by the team via that annual event, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston’s rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Kentucky.

Dale Barnstable – guardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: seventh round (first pick, 73rd overall), 1950 NBA Draft

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Seasons at Kentucky: four

Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team

Lou Tsioropoulos – forwardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: seventh round (second pick, 56th overall), 1953 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: three

Seasons played with Celtics: three

Cliff Hagan – forwardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: third round (second pick, 20th overall), 1953 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: three

Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team

Frank Ramsey – wing1950: Frank Ramsey #23 of the Boston Celtics dribbles for a mock action portrait circa 1950's. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by NBA Photo Library/ NBAE via Getty Images)

Draft year and position: first round (sixth pick, sixth overall), 1953 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: three

Seasons played with Celtics: nine (Hall of Fame!)

Roger Newman – forwardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: sixth round (eighth pick, 48th overall), 1960 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: one

Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team

Sid Cohen – guardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: fourth round (eighth pick, 32nd overall), 1960 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: two

Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team

Thad Jaracz – forwardOct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: fifth round (10th pick, 60th overall), 1968 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: three

Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team

Antoine Walker – forwardBoston Celtics' Antoine Walker (C) drives between Los Angeles Lakers' Robert Horry (L) and Brian Shaw in the second quarter February 25 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. SSM/SV

Draft year and position: first round (sixth pick, sixth overall), 1996 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: two

Seasons played with Celtics: eight

Ron Mercer – wing21 Nov 1997: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Boston Celtics (left) talks to his guard Ron Mercer during a game against the New Jersey Nets at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won the game 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport

Draft year and position: first round (sixth pick, sixth overall), 1997 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: two

Seasons played with Celtics: two

James Young – guardFeb 11, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Boston Celtics guard James Young (13) shoots the ball during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Boston won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Draft year and position: first round (17th pick, 17th overall), 2014 NBA Draft

Seasons at Kentucky: one

Seasons played with Celtics: three

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

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