Calipari: James may do camps at Kentucky
October 7th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
It’s not like John Calipari has had trouble recruiting or attracting attention to the University of Kentucky basketball program since taking over as UK’s head coach in May.
However, he could be on the verge of bringing even more attention to UK thanks to NBA star LeBron James. At Wednesday’s Louisville Tip-off Club luncheon, Calipari noted that James was at UK this summer because he’s considering having a camp at Kentucky. How huge would that be?
Here’s how Calipari explained his relationship with James.
“He’s been a friend for a while. We’ve gotten to know each other over the years. We’ve done a few different things together. He was in China, I was in China, we’ve been together that way,” Calipari said. “He’s thinking of doing camps down here and different things, which is why he was on campus originally.
“The advantage is, I wish he could play for me. I don’t think he has any eligibility. I know a lot of people, the kind of people that are really into sports and basketball, but other than he and I having a relationship, I don’t know what the advantage will be. I just know him as Lebron. I’ve known him for a long time.
“When the (Kentucky) women’s team was peeking out their door at him, I waved at them, they ran me over pushed me out of the way and took a picture with LeBron. I realized this guy is a bigger deal than I thought. I don’t see him that way. He’s loyal to his friends, guys he grew up with, and his high school coach.
“He’s a unique individual that wants to win a world championship in the absolute worst way. His whole mission in life is to be the best he can be so he can help his team win a world championship.”
And maybe, just maybe, help Kentucky win another NCAA title for his friend John Calipari.
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“I don’t know what the advantage will be”. Did he really say that? Cal just doesn’t know when to stop sandbagging. One of the greatest recruiting tools on earth and he thinks he can downplay it. Classic Cal. Great article Larry. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Hey Larry, love your stuff. Coach Cal is great. He knows what every tool in the bags does and isnt afaid to use them.
You are exactly right. He knows how to use the built-in advantages UK has to benefit the Cats. About time that happened
[...] LeBron James is expected to be holding camps at some point in the next couple of years at UK. Larry Vaught has the information. [...]
Of all things to credit Cal for – make intelligence #1 and his biggest asset.
18-year-old kids like NBA stars, girls & shoes.
Cal has found a way to incorporate two of the three into the program thus far. I expect Halle Berry to be announced as an associate coach within the month.
Call me crazy.
Now that would be amazing. Halle Berry at UK. Wait a minute. A month ago I would have thought a LeBron James Camp at UK was just as much of a longshot
I hope Cal reads the above. This may happen.
UK hoops, Coach Halle, and me on the sidelines with Bron Bron in the same senario.
I’m having a seizure now.
It’s not amazing Lawerence – it’s UK hoops.
Now wouldn’t that be something. Nothing wrong with “dreaming” high