In Recruiting, Calipari Shouldn't Criticize The Hand That Feeds Him

John Calipari could have built a marketing empire.  With his endless supply of energy, charisma and charm, Kentucky’s basketball coach should come back in the next life as an infomercial pitchman.  He could hawk light bulbs, chocolate, knives; wouldn’t matter.  The man seems so likeable, so optimistic, so passionate, so utterly committed to what he is doing. 

When he walks in a room, people stop and listen.  Give Calipari five minutes, that's all he needs to dazzle you.  He could captivate any demographic, though his specialty lies with five star high school basketball recruits. 

To blatantly steal from The Godfather, Calipari keeps blue chippers, McDonald’s All Americans and future lottery picks in his back pocket, like so many nickels and dimes.  These young players would go to war, or at least from Memphis to Kentucky, for their coach.  Yup, Calipari builds top notch recruiting classes with the best of ’em.  There’s only one problem; he’s too good at it. 

His rosters hold too many future first round picks.  Some coaches have it so tough.

For a man who’s benefited immensely, in such a short period of time, from “one and done” talent, Calipari sounds awfully perturbed by the NCAA’s current stance on NBA eligibility.  Here’s a coach and a program who, in the course of one year, shoved Kentucky back into the college basketball limelight.  While his kids didn’t cut down the nets in Indianapolis, they brought a swagger not seen in college hoops since Webber and the Michigan Fab Five of the early ’90s. 

Kentucky, more than anything, made college basketball cool.  With big names like Ben Roethlisberger, Magic Johnson and Drake in the stands on any given night, Rupp Arena held the most courtside celebrities this side of Staples Center.  The program’s top dog reputation returned because John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, two men quickly passing through on their way to the NBA, made the Wildcats hip. 

Five players from this year’s team, four of them freshman, are headed for the big time.  Calipari must pick up the pieces from such a substantial roster turnover.  Luckily for the coach, as five studs walk out the back door, another four come in the front.  It’s a cycle he’s embraced and loathed at the same time.

Last week, on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning” radio show, Calipari knocked the present climate by saying, “I think that, one, kids should be able to go directly to the League if that’s what they choose to do. And if they go to college, they should stay two years or maybe three. The way it is right now it’s really hard…” 

Calipari's statement adequately covers the main variables involved with big time recruiting and, to his credit, he delivered the remarks with sensible civility.  Let’s tell it like it is, though, Calipari is just one of many premiere college coaches who deal with the same pros and cons of this system.  Tom Izzo, Jim Calhoun and Bill Self also endure the same balancing act of acquiring, and keeping, good talent. 

Calipari knew the implications when he put the pedal to the metal on courting Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evens and, most recently, Wall.  In return, these potent point guards produced high win totals, conference titles and deep runs in the tournament for their favorite coach. 

He’s created a brand.  His mile a minute, high scoring offense offers a dream opportunity for speedy, supremely gifted floor generals.  Wall thrived this year, Brandon Knight will thrive next year, and a new No. 1 kid will thrive the year after.  These players have big goals for success on the hardwood, if not the classroom.  There’s nothing wrong with that mindset; the young men have a set career path and are forced to play by other people’s rules. 

Calipari knows he’s getting one year, and one year only, from such special talent.  He may truly care about the standards, but his naïve claims ring false.  If Calipari really despises the way things are, he’d be wise to practice as he preaches. 

Go ahead, John, pursue four star athletes; go after the guy ranked 50th overall, not fifth, on the recruiting websites.  Fill your squad with good, not great, college players who will stick around all four years.  Do as Duke, Michigan State, and Butler have done and build a foundation of success through consistency and player familiarity.  Only don’t tell us you’re in shambles because another  prized prospect said yes to a three year contract and an endorsement deal with Reebok.    

Calipari isn’t the villain here, he’s simply working within the confines of the NCAA’s rules and regulations, but he’s not the victim, either.  He knew this spectacular first recruiting class would make a huge splash on the national college basketball scene.  The coach also knew, whether he'll admit it or not, that he'd be in the position he's in at the moment.  Calipari understood the long term effects, now he must adapt to the circumstances.  Brandon Knight and another batch of incoming gems will have to do for now.