John Calipari's Son Reportedly Is Planning To Transfer Out of Kentucky
For years, NBA teams have been trying to woo John Calipari to leave Kentucky.
Well, the Lexington newspapers can finally print in big, bold letters that “Calipari Is Planning His Kentucky Exit.”
Calipari as in Brad Calipari, the Hall of Fame coach’s son.
Multiple media outlets reported Thursday that the 6-foot guard has entered his name into the transfer portal, which is the first step in leaving for another program.
Kentucky’s Brad Calipari is in the transfer portal, source told @Stadium. Can’t believe John Calipari is running off his kid.
That’s a joke, BBN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 30, 2019
The younger Calipari joined Kentucky in 2016 as a walk-on. He played just 73 minutes over his first two seasons as he sat behind eight Wildcats who would go on to play in the NBA.
Calipari redshirted last season in anticipation of being glued to the bench again.
He graduated earlier this month, so if he does indeed transfer, he won’t have to sit out another year. He would be eligible to play immediately at another school and would have two years of eligibility remaining.
There’s no word yet on which school Calipari is interested in, but he went to high school in Massachusetts and chose Kentucky over UMass, one of his dad’s former employers.
One could infer that Calipari is open to leaving his father’s school because he seeks more playing time. Or perhaps he is just fed up with his dad’s minigolf skills, per his last tweet:
My dad and I just got dominated by my mom in mini golf…
— Brad Calipari (@bradcalipari) May 28, 2019
As with all one-and-done programs, Kentucky doesn’t rebuild; it simply reloads. The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight last season and are adding a new crop of talented freshman to replace those players they are losing to the NBA draft.
Brad Calipari sees the writing on the wall as Kentucky’s Class of 2019 is loaded with perimeter players who would likely steal minutes from him.
That group is highlighted by Tyrese Maxey, who plays the same position as Calipari. Maxey is one of three five-star incoming freshmen for the Wildcats and the No. 10 player in the country.
Nonetheless, Brad Calipari’s apparent desire to transfer away from his dad’s program led to many jokes on Twitter.
Coach Cal going full Thanos for another National Championship pic.twitter.com/3cc8I3SpXm
— Andrew Evenson (@AndrewEvenson) May 30, 2019
This might make Thanksgiving dinner awkward..
— Lance McCurley (@lancemccurley) May 30, 2019
Seems extreme. I just moved out of my dad’s house when the time came.
— Vince Lara-Cinisomo (@vincelara) May 30, 2019
With Calipari’s name now in the transfer portal, other schools can begin to contact him. But just because he entered his name in the portal doesn’t mean he is transferring; a player has the right to remove his name from the portal.
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