John Calipari addresses how roster-building philosophy has changed

John Calipari is bringing fresh beliefs with him to his new environment. This past week, the newly hired Arkansas head coach revealed how his philosophies on roster construction have changed.

“Things have changed,” Calipari said. “My team last year, the average age was 19.4. The [average age of the] team we played (Oakland) was 24. Tyler Herro called me after the game and said, ‘I’ve been in the NBA for five seasons, and I’m 24.’ They had a guy who was 26. So, you have to be a little older.”

Under Calipari last season, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell were the only two upperclassmen on Kentucky’s roster. With several spots left to fill on the roster for Arkansas next season, Calipari has already reeled in more veteran leadership for his debut campaign with the Razorbacks.

Arkansas has added fifth-year senior Johnell Davis, senior Jonas Aidoo and junior Adou Thiero via the NCAA Transfer Portal. The three upperclassmen boast a combined 263 game appearances and 117 starts in their careers.

Arkansas also added Kentucky transfer Zvonimir Ivisic, who will be a sophomore in the 2024-25 season. Despite Calipari’s new emphasis on experience, he still plans on recruiting top freshmen to his program.

John Calipari still believes in his freshmen

“I’m still going to recruit young players because I like changing families,” Calipari said. “But, when you start talking more than 9 [players]; 10 11, 12 — I’m coaching everybody. I don’t just coach the guys that are starting. I’m coaching them all.

“Basically, I’m preparing them and putting my soul in everything for another guy to coach him. They’re going to leave and go somewhere else. Well, how about if I just focus on my eight or nine? Let me do that. I think we’ll still recruit freshmen, but we just won’t have like last year [at UK], where we had seven freshmen. You can’t do that anymore.”

Although Calipari was not named the head coach at Arkansas until April, he was able to retain most of his jaw-dropping 2024 recruiting class. Four-star prospects Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond rescinded their commitment to Kentucky and will be Razorbacks next season instead.

With their decisions, Arkansas has the No. 2 class in the 2024 recruiting cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Arkansas finished last season with a 16-17 overall record and a 6-12 mark in conference play, the program’s worst under head coach Eric Musselman. With John Calipari now behind the steering wheel, the Razorbacks will look to reach new heights next season.