John Calipari discusses the importance of having experienced talent at Kentucky

John Calipari knows there needs to be a blend of older and younger players for Kentucky to be successful. That’s evident in their trip to Canada this week for the GLOBL JAM.

Antonio Reeves has been the Wildcats’ top scorer through three games, averaging 24.7 points per contest. That includes a big performance Saturday against Team Africa when he dropped 27 to help Kentucky to the gold medal game. West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell has also been consistent on offense, averaging 13.3 points through three games.

Those two could be key parts of a Kentucky roster that looked like it was going to be pretty young earlier in the offseason. Calipari pointed out how experience and younger talent create a recipe for success. However, the transfer portal allows teams to find a little bit of both.

“They’re vets,” Calipari said of Mitchell and Reeves. “And like I say, if you ask me, experience or talent. If you remember, I’ve always taken talent. But you’re always looking for experienced talent. … The transfer portal may get you a little bit of that now. It’s hard for us because our talent left to go pro. … But now you get a couple guys like that. My best teams had veteran players along with freshmen.”

Calipari and the Kentucky staff did major work on the recruiting trail this past cycle en route to the No. 1 class in the country, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. That group is made up of seven incoming freshman, including three Five Star Plus+ recruits — some of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star.

Forward Justin Edwards is the highest-rated of the bunch as the No. 2 recruit in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Center Aaron Bradshaw is the No. 4 player in the country and combo guard DJ Wagner came in at No. 7. All three players are ranked No. 1 at their respective positions.

Despite having so much young talent coming in, Kentucky found itself without some much-needed experience. Oscar Tshiebwe, Cason Wallace and Jacob Toppin all left for the NBA while Damion Collins and Sahvir Wheeler entered the portal. At one point, it looked like Reeves might leave as well, but he ultimately decided to stay. Then, Kentucky brought in Mitchell, and it creates a nice dynamic of old and new.