John Calipari shares his perspective on the NBA Draft: “It’s like graduation night”
Arkansas Razorbacks’ head basketball coach, John Calipari, will be prominently featured at the 2024 NBA Draft. As usual, he will be there to support his former players expected to be selected in either round.
There was speculation about Calipari’s attendance since he transitioned from the University of Kentucky to Arkansas before the end of the 2023-24 season. On Wednesday, during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, the former Wildcats coach confirmed he would attend the prestigious event.
“I’ll be at the draft tonight. ‘Why did you go?’ It’s graduation night, and I’m going to watch the students walk across that stage,” Calipari said. “I’ve done it, and I go get a hug; that’s part of the deal. ‘You’re coming with me, but when you get up on that stage, I better get a hug somewhere.’ I’ve had a ball doing it.”
For Calipari, this event is akin to a graduation ceremony, celebrating his players’ achievements in college.
Having guided these young men to the opportunity to play in the top men’s professional basketball league, Calipari wouldn’t miss it for anything, regardless of which team he is coaching. However, the Arkansas head coach did take the chance to joke about his attire for the evening.
“I’m gonna wear chains and a wallet and a bracelet,” he said. “I’m coming — wait till you see the shoes! Oh my gosh.”
The former Wildcats expected to be selected in this year’s NBA Draft are Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, Reed Shepherd, and Rob Dillingham. Both Shepherd and Dillingham are projected as lottery picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. The consensus is that veteran guard Reeves and former five-star recruit Edwards will likely have to wait until Thursday night to hear their names called.
This year’s NBA Draft will feature a new format, spanning two nights instead of one. Round one will begin on Wednesday, June 26, at 7:00 PM CT, while round two will take place on Thursday, June 27, starting at 3:00 PM CT. Both rounds will be broadcast live on ESPN and can also be streamed globally using the ESPN app.
