It’s Time to Stop Falsely Accusing Calipari of Crimes
Arkansas coach’s resume, not money, appeals to top prospects.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There’s no doubt that Arkansas coach John Calipari has first dibs when it comes to recruiting top talent. With 50 former players chosen in the first round of the NBA Draft since 1996, he reigns supreme in the recruiting world.
About a decade ago, renowned college basketball journalist Gary Parrish encountered a rumor that a fellow coach had challenged Calipari about his recruiting methods. Despite facing numerous accusations of dubious practices throughout his career, Calipari has always maintained a spotless record.
Even when Memphis lost its 2008 national runner-up status, it was emphasized that the fault lay with the university and not with Calipari.
“No allegations were made against the coach, so there were no findings against the coach,” stated Paul Dee, chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
Here’s how Calipari responded to the accusation during an interview on 92.9 Memphis Sports Radio in 2015, according to Parrish’s account.
Absolutely true. John confronted this guy in Vegas because he heard rumors that the guy had been talking. So, John approaches him and says something like, “Listen, I know what you’ve been saying.”
The guy denies it, saying, “No, I haven’t been saying anything—”
John replies, “I’m the kind of person who can swoop in at the last minute and take any player I want from you. You can spend your whole life recruiting a kid, and at the end of the day, if I want him, I’ll get him. If we want him, we’ll get him. Don’t ever get that confused. Be grateful every time I don’t come in and take your player.
“Yes, you did say that. And it’s fine, but just understand, nothing shady happened. It’s just that I’m me, and we’re Kentucky, and we can come in and get that kid whenever we want.”
During that period, Calipari saw three of his college players chosen as the No. 1 overall pick within five years. At the peak of his tenure in Lexington, the Wildcats program practically recruited itself.
The coach’s authentic personality is crucial to recruits. His track record of guiding top prospects to lucrative contracts resonates not only with the players but also with their families.
