the alpha in college, go to the pros and most of them are then just in a supporting role in NBA. But the prestige and money are great enough, that the players accept being in the supporting role. If they can't accept the supporting role and become a malcontent, they often don't last that long in the NBA.

The Kentucky situation dealing with a lot of experienced college players is like the NBA move but on a smaller scale.

If its the pre-NIL days and noone is making anything, then your point becomes more valid because the stakes are higher financially to showcase themselves so that they can get to pro basketball.

Now the NIL for UK helps cushion the inner-squad animosity. These guys should recognize that they gave up being "the alpha" in exchange for going to a better team and in exchange for the NIL.