Ever since John Calipari took the helm for them, the Kentucky Wildcats men’s hoops program has been like a fucking minor league team, bringing in the nation’s top talent year-after-year and sending lottery picks to the NBA as if it were an annual party.
And Cal—who often gets criticized for the whole “one-and-done” blueprint that he’s been so successful with—just made the announcement on Twitter that his ENTIRE team will be declaring for the NBA Draft…with the hope that those players eligible, including walk-ons, will get an invite to the combine.
Met with our team today. Told them that during the season it’s about the team and sacrificing for each other – which they did this year.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
When the season’s over, it’s about each individual player and what’s right for them and their families.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft …
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
… in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
The new rule states they can submit their name a total of three times. If they choose to withdraw, they have until 10 days after the combine
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 23, 2016
This is a major slap in the face to the NCAA, as Calipari is straight-up trolling the organization’s new rule that states players can declare for the draft and withdraw 10 days after the combine. The hope was for a few more players to toss their name into the ring, get evaluated by pro scouts, get an understanding about where they may or may not be selected, and then make a decision on their immediate future.
Leave it to Calipari to go and screw with the NCAA, though, as he’s traded jabs with them over the years on student-athletes and the pro game, even admitting how important it is to his program to remain so successful.
Don’t be mistaken, though, because what the coach said is absolutely fact, as there’s no downside to a player doing exactly what Cal tweeted out.
Only a handful of UK players will actually stay in the draft following the declaration and combine, but, still, Cal’s really taking advantage of the NCAA rule just to prove his point.