Kentucky Basketball: Rapper Drake to Coach at UK Alumni Game

University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari announced via Twitter this evening that rapper Drake would be one of the coaches for this year's UK NBA Alumni Game.

Back in August, Calipari revealed that he had set a game featuring former Kentucky greats that would take place in Rupp Arena on Saturday, September 15 at 2:00 PM (per the Lexington Herald-Leader). Since then, there has been a lot of speculation amongst the Big Blue Nation about what players would be participating and who would be coaching them.

Drake's love for the Wildcats is well known. In addition to being a vocal supporter of the team and often showing up to games, he even received his own customized 2012 NCAA Championship ring (per Bill Hanstock of SB Nation). 

While Drake is certainly a well known name (even to those that aren't necessarily fans of hip hop music) the announcement still comes as a bit of a surprise to many. While a popular rapper may not have been the first choice for many Kentucky fans to coach at this event, Big Blue Nation would do well to remember that everything Calipari does with regards to the basketball program has a purpose (even if it's not immediately apparent).

In addition to being a great event for the fans, this game is a HUGE recruiting opportunity. Adding a big name like Drake will bring massive amounts of national attention and continue to give Kentucky the "It Factor" that makes the program so attractive to recruits.

And even if having Drake as a coach ends up not working out well, it is worth giving it a shot. After all, you only live once...and I now officially hate myself for writing that.

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