John Calipari expects Daimion Collins to rejoin the team after his father's funeral Saturday. (UK Athletics Photo)
Sophomore Daimion Collins missed his second straight game for Kentucky Friday after the unexpected passing of his father.
He did return to Lexington from Texas for a few days before returning home for Saturday’s funeral that coach John Calipari and his staff will also attend.
“I wanted to take the whole team, but we’ve got to go to Indianapolis (Tuesday for the Champions Class), come back, go to Spokane (to play Gonzaga Sunday), come back, go to London (to play Michigan in England),” Calipari said.
“They don’t need another trip.”
Freshman guard Cason Wallace will go to Texas with the coaches because he’s kin to Collins.
“We’ll come back with Daimion. There was a family viewing today that he needed to be there for. It was amazing. He left after practice, or as practice was ending and all the guys hugged him,” Calipari said after Friday’s win over Duquesne.
“I mean, it’s, what’s happened, he’s got family here, and it’s these players. They all greeted him when he came back. He didn’t get in until 11:50 (p.m.), and they were all there waiting for him at the lodge to just let him know and hang out with him.”
“So, it will be good to get him back.”
