The good news for Kentucky basketball is that three of the 38 players coach John Calipari has had selected in the NBA draft during his time at UK are playing in the NBA finals and at least one of his former players is going to win a championship. The bad news for Kentucky is despite that wealth of talent UK still has won just one NCAA championship — 2012 — under Calipari when Antony Davis (who is playing for the Lakers in the Finals) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went one-two in the draft.
During a Zoom conference to discuss Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro also playing in the Finals for the Miami Heat against Davis and Rajon Rondo, another former UK player before Calipari’s arrival, the UK coach conceded that the Cats “could’ve done more” when it comes to NCAA titles.
“I care about winning and winning championships but … we’ve won more games in 11 years, more league titles, more Sweet 16s, NCAA games, Elite 8s, Final 4s and won a national title,” Calipari said. “I know we could’ve done more, I know that.”
He compared it to how North Carolina coach Dean Smith often got criticized for not winning more national titles with the talent he had.
“You can teach really good players how to play or you can teach them to be in a system. We have always been about teaching kids how to play,” Calipari said. “I can’t tell you exactly how to do it but the other part is getting really good players to come together and you have to sacrifice for each other. We do that.”
Calipari has been to four Final Fours, but none since 2015 when the 38-0 Wildcats lost to Wisconsin.
“By the end of the year we’re playing as well as we have all year, including last year with a chance to win the national title, but it’s one-and-done,” the UK coach said.
“How about if it were best-of-3 (series), how many would we have? Or a best-of-7, how many national titles? How about this one? How about if I was a little selfish and got these kids stay two or three years? But that’s not what this is. We’re here.
“Twenty kids have graduated. We’re always in the top 10 with academics. We have been. The NCAA sends us awards for kids leaving in good academic standing. It’s about physically and mentally being ready. It’s about holding them accountable.
