Calipari wants top recruits every year
August 4th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
John Calipari says Kentucky’s recent basketball exploits have not been good enough to make the nation’s top players immediately excited about UK basketball.
“Kids remember three years. All they know about Kentucky is that Kentucky went to the NIT last year,” Calipari said Tuesday. “But their famlies remember the University of Kentucky. Fathers and mothers know Kentucky basketball and say they better listen to what we say.”
Calipari immediately put together the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for next year even though he wasn’t hired until April. He’s been busy pursuing top talent for next year’s recruiting class even though he would prefer to be on campus coaching in July rather than traveling across the United States courting players.
“You have to do it every year,” Calipari said when asked how he could top his first recruiting class at UK. “We are going to have to bring in players every year. That’s just how it is. We are able to recruit the best of the best here. It is a combination that you have to do it on the court so you can continue to recruit. You have to do it with a style that kids want to play. You have to help kids reach their dreams. If it is more about doing all those things by winning and helping them, they will come. It is Kentucky.”
What if talented newcomers like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins leave after one year? Does that put UK in a bind or do you just recruit more potential stars?
“That is what we are hoping to do. I would hope four or five, or if we really do well, that six guys leave (after next season for the NBA). Then we would need to bring in a whole team again, and that’s okay because it would mean we had a great year,” Calipari said.
The UK coach said he prefers to recruit players off state championship teams when possible.
“They come here with one thought — winning championships — because that is what they have always done. There’s no way you win a state championship without being a good teammate,” Calipari said. “If I do my job, I will bring in four or five players next year who all won state championships.”
Posted in UK Basketball
[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that John Calipari wants top recruits every year. [...]
[...] sister. Our thoughts go out to Locke and his family.On the basketball front, John Calipari says he hopes “that six guys leave” for the NBA next year because “it would mean we had a great year.”And The Herald-Leader’s [...]
Wow! Calipari wants to recruit top players every year. Groundbreaking news, Larry
For Kentucky, it is. How long since Kentucky brought in great players year after year. I like a coach who is not afraid to lose top players because he has the confidence to go get other players. May not be news to you, but certainly sounded like news to me for UK basketball.
Damn Kenneth I’m glad that you provide so much information for the the uk faithful. People like you suck. The excitement around uk basketball is back and I don’t care what it is I enjoy reading. it. Larry I really appreciate all the work you do and I found the article very informing and enjoyed it. Thank you
Wish I had thought of that.
The man knows what he is doing, he has a plan, that in itself is an improvement. He is probably the best recruiter we have had here in the last 30 years. If he coaches that well, we have nothing to worry about…..
Players off state championship teams like Covington Holmes last year? Probably never again. Say good-bye to speculating in the stands with others over who in the Sweet 16 would end up being recruited by Ky.
Wondered how long it would take for someone to notice. I think John may eventually have to back off that some and last year is a good example