Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari often comes under fire for being brash and arrogant, and is often called a cheater in lieu of his past discretions. However, basketball fans are hard-pressed to find a better mind when it comes to the business of coaching a high profile team.
According to multiple sources, Kentucky will host a preseason combine for NBA scouts that will showcase the school’s bevy of next-level talent. While some see the combine as nothing more than a publicity stunt by a narcissistic Calipari, others recognize his latest brainchild as pure genius.
On the one hand, Calipari has a truckload of talent ready to suit up for Big Blue Nation in just a few weeks. Arguably, his new batch of recruits, mixed in with several returnees from last season’s national championship game, will make up one of the most talented and deepest basketball teams seen in college basketball since, well, since Kentucky won it all back in 2012 with six players who were later selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
On the other hand, Coach Cal has a huge problem in Lexington. Already with dreams of playing professionally, his players will not only be feeling pressure to perform at the collegiate level, they will also face the stress of dealing with adoring, and perhaps salivating, NBA scouts.
Kentucky will suit up nine McDonald’s All-Americans this season, and none of them are seniors. The Wildcats will have juniors Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress return along with sophomores Dakari Johnson and brothers Andrew and Aaron Harrison. Freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis, and Trey Lyles will all see action for UK as well.
To be sure, the entire roster of Kentucky players will be under the collective microscopes of both the college basketball scene and professional markets.
To minimize the long term pressure, Calipari has made what at least one NBA general manager calls a “great idea” because it “limits the parade of NBA guys in practice."
However, the combine, which presumably will take place in Lexington over the weekend of October 10-11, accomplishes more than just alleviating undue pressure on Calipari’s young team. The move draws even more attention to the Kentucky Wildcats program. Read: recruits will know that Kentucky offers a full weekend of showing off for NBA scouts - something no other school replicates.
It is a shrewd business and publicity venture by Calipari that is sure to pay off with more national exposure, more attention to his program, and more blue-chip recruits headed his way.
Yes, the rich just figure to get richer.