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Everything John Calipari Said in Latest Radio Interview

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Photos by Chet White | UK Athletics

Following the worst season in program history in 2020-21, and arguable the worst loss in program history this past March, it is important for John Calipari to communicate with the fans and connect.

On Monday, Calipari looks to be doing that as he made his second radio appearance in just two weeks on ESPN 680 with Mike Pratt and Dan Issel.

Let’s break down the interview and see what Cal had to say.

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Transfers and NIL

This is the first full offseason of the NIL and the transfer portal together, and it has been quite interesting.

With little NCAA or conference regulation, many schools are practically using the “pay for play” approach, but Calipari is staying away from those situations despite being a supporter of the transfer portal.

“What I like about it is if you lie as a coach, you lie to a player, he can leave right away. If a player is not quite good enough, he can leave and play right away. I like that. The problem is, the name, image, and likeness should not be a part of it, and its become a part of it. If anybody is talking to me about name, image, and likeness as part of the transfer, I’m not really interested,” Calipari said.

So what is it that Calipari believes lures players to Kentucky? “You come here because of the culture to be developed, the environment, the fans, trying to compete for national titles, having other really good players to play with, that’s why you come here… Not ‘how much is the NIL?’”

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While I understand Cal’s standpoint, NIL is going to be of key importance for any top transfer, and it cannot be seemingly dismissed going forward.

Cal also went on to speak about the recent transfers, (Dontaie Allen, Bryce Hopkins, & Keion Brooks Jr.), while not meaning any disrespect, he did provide an intriguing fact.

“I think we have had 7 or 8 players transfer from us, not one has been drafted. Now they’ve gotten more minutes, more highlights, and all that stuff, but none of them have been drafted,” said Calipari.

Damion Collins

Despite coming in as a five-star, top-20 prospect, Damion Collins was not seen to be a one-and-done, and Calipari noted that he, Collins, and his parents have been on the same page with his development from the beginning.

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While talking about Collins, Calipari went on to talk about players that pushed through adversity and eventually broke out at Kentucky, such as Immanuel Quickley, PJ Washington, and Nick Richards. After mentioning those players, Calipari went on to name Collins as one that could make a similar jump.

“Can you imagine Oscar Tshiebwe and Daimion Collins on the floor together? You got a beast and a shot blocker,” Calipari said. If Collins makes the expected improvement, Collins and Tshiebwe will be a very versatile frontcourt duo.

Jai Lucas and Staff Outlook

When it was announced last Friday that Jai Lucas would be leaving Kentucky for Duke, it is safe to say most people were not happy as it feeds the narrative that Duke is superior to Kentucky at the moment.

While Cal may be frustrated with the move as well, things happen, but he doesn’t appear to have any animosity towards Lucas, saying, “I did not fire Jai, I did not force him out. I wish him well. This is what he thinks is best for his program (possibly meant family).”

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While Lucas was very beneficial to the program in his time at Kentucky, he is replaceable. Following his departure, there have yet to be any names mentioned as replacements, but Calipari did go on to talk about what he is looking for in an assistant coach.

“My biggest thing is, add value. An assistant coach, Have you worked with NBA players? Who have you developed? What have you done in the places you’ve been? Give me what you do and give me numbers,” Calipari said.

In addition to an assistant coach, Calipari talked about his desire to hire a “mind coach” as part of the program to help players and staff cope with the pressure on and off the court and improve mental health.

Recruiting

Over the next few months, Kentucky should see the effect of losing Jai Lucas and the effect of his replacement when it comes to recruiting. Yet, there is some good recruiting news just on the horizon, “We have another guy committed. He is going to announce here shortly,” said Calipari.

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The commitment is expected to be Adou Thiero, a 6’5 rising guard in the class of 2022, who has set a commitment date this Sunday. This commitment would be the finishing touch to the 2022 class, unless Leonard Miller, who has currently put his name into the NBA Draft, decides he would rather go to college.

As for the 2023 class, Calipari said, “we’re ahead of the game”. However, when you look at the list of commitments, there is just one name, Reed Sheppard. This is not “ahead of the game” when compared to Duke who already has five top-30 commits.

While Kentucky is in good position for several recruits in next year’s class, they must close the deal.

Reenergizing Big Blue Madness

It is no secret that Big Blue Madness is no longer the event it once was, with Calipari calling it “unacceptable” that madness isn’t where it needs to be.

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Big Blue Madness, the annual introduction of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, is often used as a recruiting tool to showcase the best part of Kentucky, the Big Blue Nation. However, with the repetitiveness of and lack of innovation surrounding the event, fan attendance has decreased and the environment is no longer the showstopper it used to be for recruits.

“It’s gotta get back to where it was,” said Calipari. So what direction does the program need to go with the event? “Here’s where we gotta go with madness. We gotta have madness that everybody is talking about for a month after it ends.”

I look for this fall’s Big Blue Madness to be overhauled with changes to entice the fans, and ultimately take a step in the right direction to return to the event to what it used to be.

Need for Facility Upgrades

Recently the Philadelphia Phillies were in Lexington taking a look at UK’s athletic facilities. Being impressed with the baseball, football, and soccer facilities, they had high expectations for the basketball facilities. However, they were let down.

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Despite a $300+ million dollar renovation to Rupp Arena, and renovations to the Joe Craft Center locker room suite in 2017, Kentucky is in need of facility upgrades.

To start, the Wildcat Coal Lodge is one of the more outdated men’s basketball dormitories in the country when compared to the top programs. Opened in 2012, the lodge features an average hotel-esque type room with worse amenities than the University’s newer dorms, which are open to all students.

Compare it to Kansas’ McCarthy hall which was built nearly six years ago, and has an overall more luxurious feel while also featuring a third-floor patio, theater room, and an indoor basketball half-court visible from the main lobby and the second-floor lounge.

Now, back to the Joe Craft Center. While the locker room suite was renovated back in 2017, a large part of the facility is still outdated and hasn’t been touched since opening in 2007. Much of the facility still has a mid-2000’s feel, with old Kentucky branding and older architecture/design, which can be seen in this fan’s video tour from 2021.

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“It is unacceptable that our facilities, when people look at men’s basketball facilities, on this campus, they don’t go crazy like ‘Wow’. Then when the NBA comes in, I don’t have to hear ‘wow, there are a lot of facilities, better than yours’. No, this is Kentucky,” Calipari said.

Fanbase

Upon taking the job at Kentucky, John Calipari said he was told by former coaches, “Coach, there’s a part of this group, a small percentage, that are never happy with anything. Don’t deal with them, just know you have the best fanbase in the country.”

Unfortunately, that’s true, and that same small percentage can paint the rest of the fanbase in a negative light. With that said, the majority of the fanbase, while still supportive, is frustrated as well.

Not just at the fact that Kentucky followed the worst season in program history with the biggest upset in program history, but at the way, Calipari has gone about things recently. Such as the “I haven’t seen him” comments made about injured players or the “basketball benny” comments he directs toward the fanbase.

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As Calipari said, Kentucky is the best fanbase in the country but that comes with the tax of having high expectations. Under Cal’s direction, Kentucky has been in the hunt for a national title in most seasons, and the same is expected this year, but he seemingly has to deliver a deep run in March.

Roster Outlook

What will Kentucky’s roster look like next season? “What it will be is 9 or 10 guys on scholarship, it might get to 11,” said Calipari.

Currently sitting at 9 scholarship players, Calipari has the returning National Player of the Year, four McDonald’s All-Americans, SEC assist leader/Bob Cousy Finalist, former Big Ten 3-point percentage leader, a freak athlete at the four, and a 20 ppg All-Missouri Valley wing. That is a top-five roster.

However, based on his quote Calipari expects to add at least one and maybe two more players to the talented group.

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As for the additions, one of those players is expected to be the beforementioned Adou Thiero, a 6’5 rising guard in the class of 2022, who has set a commitment date for May 8th. The other could possibly come after players announce their final NBA decisions.

Calipari expressed that he really likes this roster, and echoed that by saying, “With Damion, Lance, Oscar, our guards, Chris, Cason, CJ, Antonio, and then Sahvir. I mean come on. I’m like saying let’s go, let’s play the games.”


Based on the results of the last two seasons, and the seemingly negative trajectory the program is on, it is important for Calipari to open up more and attempt to connect to the fans just as he has been doing this offseason.

Check out the full interview below.

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Men's Basketball

Brandon Garrison Takes On A Leadership Role Heading Into Next Season

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Brandon Garrison and Kentucky head coach Mark Pope
Eddie Justice | UK Athletics

Brandon Garrison had his ups and downs during the 2024-25 season, at times making plays above his experience level on the court, and other times, causing unfortunate turnovers and making Big Blue Nation yell “pass the ball” when he attempted to show off his handles.

However, since the offseason has began, we’ve seen the backup big man from last year’s squad take major jumps in not only his skill set, but in his mentality and leadership as well.

“BG” announced that he was coming back to Kentucky on April 12 for the 2025-26 season, and since then, has been the talk of the town to be the starting center for Mark Pope’s second-year team.

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Last season, Garrison played behind Amari Williams, coming off of the bench and averaging 5.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in just 17.3 minutes a night. 

Having played a year already in Pope’s system, Garrison may get a nod for the starting role over one of the transfer pickups, especially since Pope and the coaching staff have been publicly vocal about his development. With young players such as Jayden Quaintance and Malachi Moreno coming in behind Garrison, you can guarantee he will play a major role in their development.

In an offseason press conference, Pope said that Garrison has already taken on more of a mentorship role heading into next season.

“He’ll be the first to tell you that Amari Williams was a life-changing mentor for him,” Pope said. “He’s excited to help some other guys come along.”

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Pope added on that Garrison went out of his way to have breakfast and talk to four of the incoming transfers, on their official visits, about Kentucky and the way the staff does things.

“Brandon Garrison showed me some signs in the last month, and certainly this summer, where he is just, like he is growing up, man,” Pope said in an interview with KSR on May 22. “It’s so cool to see, it’s the best thing to see as a coach. He’s talking about what he wants to be. It’s no longer kind of what he is and who he is and how he acts, but it’s what he wants to become.”

As the season inches closer, we’ll learn more about Garrison’s impact on the court and if he’ll be the day one starter, but regardless, off the court, you can bet he has some wisdom to pass down.

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Former Wildcats Headline Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals Matchup

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Cason Wallace and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kevin Jairaj | IMAGN

The NBA Finals tip off with familiar faces on both sides in the first-ever series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.

For the first time since 2012, when the Thunder were led by Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City is in the NBA Finals. The franchise has the opportunity to earn its first title in Oklahoma City since the team’s rebrand and relocation in 2008.

As for the Pacers, it’s the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Indiana is seeking its first championship in team history. 

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City’s superstar and crowning 2024-25 league MVP has continued his season-long dominance into the postseason. Averaging 31.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander impressed as the Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1, as he led all but one game of the series in scoring. 

After an underwhelming performance in Game 3, Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a near triple-double performance, posting 40 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Oklahoma City defeated the Timberwolves narrowly, 128-126.

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The Thunder blew out Minnesota in Games 4 and 5 thanks to back-to-back massive performances by Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 34 and 40 points, respectively. Clinching his first bid to the NBA Finals. 

At midcourt after their Game 5 victory, OKC hoisted the Western Conference Trophy in front of their home crowd. Gilgeous-Alexander walked off with the Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson Trophy for his Western Conference Finals heroics.

Cason Wallace

Second-year pro Wallace is the Thunder’s ultimate plug-and-play contributor. Although Wallace isn’t a stat-stuffing machine like Gilgeous-Alexander, his defensive prowess stands out.

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In five games, the Kentucky product averaged 25.8 minutes per game off the bench. Wallace was often assigned to guard Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards. 

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged five points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and nearly a block and steal per game. 

Known for his hustle, Wallace excels at imposing himself on defense despite commonly matching up with larger opponents. His ability to disrupt the Timberwolves’ offense created offensive opportunities, which coincided with his pass-first mentality on offense.

Wallace could be found stealing from 7-foot-1 Frenchman Rudy Gobert in the post and nailing 3-pointers on the other end.

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In Game 5, Wallace scored only five points but had two rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Helping OKC seal a commanding 124-94 victory to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.

Isaiah Jackson

The tallest former Wildcat out of the bunch, Jackson stands at 6-foot-9 as a physical off-the-bench presence for Indiana.

Unfortunately, the big man won’t be available to play in the NBA Finals. In the fifth game of the season, Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on Nov. 1 in a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

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This season Jackson made six appearances for the Pacers, including a start against the Boston Celtics early in the season. Posting seven points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Despite the injury, the four-year Pacer would still receive a ring if Indiana wins for his short-lived contribution this season.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips-off on Thursday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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The 2025-26 Cats Consensus: It’s Time for Banner Number Nine

Every new and returning Wildcat shares the same dream: bringing a championship trophy to Lexington once more.

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Mark Pope in a crowd of fans at Big Blue Madness
Tyler Ruth | UK Athletics

“We are here to win banners.”

While just about everything Mark Pope said at his introductory press conference went viral in one way or another, that aforementioned declaration stood out amongst his crowd of quotes like no other to a fanbase more than a decade removed from a national championship.

To the big blue nation, Coach Pope’s words last spring were a much needed battle cry. Now, as he’s set to enter his second year at the helm, Pope has made sure the team he assembled for the 2025-26 season shares the same hunger.

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It begins on a basic level, with players across the board throwing the number “9” around on social media in posts, replies, and commitments. Much like the Kentucky faithful, the newest roster to roll through Lexington isn’t afraid to make reference to the top task at hand.

For (likely) starting point guard Jaland Lowe, it’s an opportunity he “can’t miss.” “See y’all soon #BBN,” he said in a post on X, announcing his return to the collegiate level. Lowe chose a junior season at Kentucky over a chance to be chosen in the NBA Draft. Otega Oweh, the now-projected SEC player of the year, would follow suit shortly thereafter.

The Ultimate Goal

Andrija Jelavic, a primary member of the incoming unit, as well as the team’s lone international player, dubbed the title chase as “the ultimate goal” in his interview with KY Insider. “We all [the team] agree that the ultimate goal is the same and that is to bring a championship to Kentucky, to the state and the fans,” he said.

To Jelavic, it goes further than hunger. It’s a responsibility.

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And that responsibility is what sets Kentucky apart from other programs. As awkward as the conversation around John Calipari can get, when push comes to shove, much of the dissatisfaction growing within the fanbase as his tenure came to a close was rooted in the coach’s apparent disinterest in winning another championship.

Year after year went by; top-ranked roster after top ranked roster. After a while, it seemed that Kentucky was more often mentioned in the first round of the NBA Draft than it was in the NCAA Tournament. The problem persisted, the tension festered and, ultimately, the two sides split… and it all goes back to that elusive ninth title.

Name on the Front of the Jersey

Mark Pope has said before that he wants to bring in guys who are playing for the name on the front of their jersey. It just so happens that there are enough of those like-minded athletes across the nation to build one of the consensus best teams in college basketball, all of whom are in full pursuit of a new blue banner in the rafters of Rupp.

With a mindset like that shared across the board and talent like the 2025-26 team has at hand, it’s only a matter of time before that dream becomes a reality once more. For the first time in more than a decade, the entire Big Blue Nation is on the same page – and that includes the guys who can actually make it happen.

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