Photo by Vicki Graff
Just when you think John Calipari could not find a way to make this offseason any better for him and Kentucky fans, he does it again.
Think about it. He got unanimous national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe to come back for another season. He took his players and staff on a tour of five cities where fans could get his autograph and picture as well as photos of the players. His players had individual camps in various cities. North Laurel commit Reed Sheppard just had a mega game in Las Vegas on ESPN.
But Tuesday night, Calipari outdid himself in a HUGE WAY.
The Kentucky men’s basketball team hosted an open practice at Rupp Arena as part of a telethon to raise money for Kentucky Flood Relief and in three hours raised $2,410,000 for Kentucky fans and others who really need help and will for a long time.
Nobody raises money for charity better than Calipari who has now raised money for those impacted by the Haiti earthquake (2010), Hurricane Sandy (2012), Hurricane Harvey (2017) and western Kentucky tornado (2021) along with Tuesday’s flood relief.
Calipari’s team entertained fans at Rupp Arena and even did a short question-and-answer session to reward fans who did attend.
But there was also other big news along with raising almost $2.5 million for people who really needed it.
First, in a great goodwill gesture not only for eastern Kentucky but for all UK fans, the annual intrasquad Blue-White Game that never draws a capacity crowd at Rupp Arena will be moved to an eastern Kentucky location this year.
Senior point guard Sahvir Wheeler revealed that news and said the game “might be” in Pikeville which makes perfect sense because that city has an arena that seats almost 6,000 and is in the area where flooding was catastrophic.
But there was more. Calipari has obviously heard fan complaints about UK’s non-conference schedule, especially the lack of quality home opponents. However, Kentucky and Gonzaga will begin a home-and-home series Nov. 20 with Kentucky playing at Gonzaga and then the Bulldogs will come to Rupp Arena during the 2023-24 season.
Gonzaga has been a No. 1 seed in the last three NCAA Tournaments and has six of its top eight scorers back off last year’s team that finished 28-4. ESPN has Gonzaga No. 2 in its early preseason rankings.
So $2.5 million for flood relief, a Blue-White Game perhaps in Pikeville and a home-and-home with Gonzaga created a night to remember for many, many reasons and certainly capped what has been a great offseason for Calipari.
Photos by Vicki Graff
4 Responses
Kudos to John Calipari and his team for all of the work that has been done to raise money for people that desperately need it. NOBODY has ever questioned his value as a citizen and fund raiser for needed causes.
After the loss to the Peacocks, many of BBN were calling for his termination as coach, or at the very least, his resignation. Ever since the loss to Wisconsin by the 38 – 1 team, we have heard nothing but "players first", OAD was more important than winning championships, and the "cute" touting his draft picks. I think Coach has heard the uproar of BBN and is going back to being the coach who won the title in 2012. This year we will play Michigan St, Gonzaga, Michigan, UCLA, Louisville, and Kansas. Who knows what our record will be come January, but this is the kind of non conference play that develops championships. The SEC will be a gauntlet as always, but this team has been built for such a run. Getting Oscar to come here last year and stay this year combined with the signing and reclassifying of Kingsley is difference making. We lost Allen, Hopkins, and Brooks to transfer, but the arrival of Reeves, Livingston, and Wallace plus the return of a healthy Frederick more than offset those transfers. The decisions by Ware, Toppin, and Collins to return could result in all 3 having breakout seasons that could take the team over the top. The return of Orlando Antigua has also been difference making.
It appears that Calipari is changing his focus from "players first" to winning championships again. That was almost a direct quote from the coach in announcing the signing of Kingsley. Calipari said it himself that a team without a dominant big man is a pretender and not a contender. By the season’s end, we could have 2 dominant big men. Shot blocking, rebounding, and high percentage shots around the basket will keep a team in a game when the outside shots go cold. Barring injury or something weird, this team can go far if all play for the team and not for thier own ends. Welcome back Coach from the dark side. Now go out there and win Number 9.
Whodat – should we call law enforcement? Blink twice if you have been abducted and forced to type words against ur will!!
ROFLMFAO. Best comment of the year! ! !
Me too, and agree.