John Calipari gives warning to players attempting to transfer to Kentucky

Kentucky has one of the most storied programs in the history of college basketball – and there’s no arguing that. The Wildcats have won many games, captured many championships and sent many players to the NBA, and that success lives up to their slogan of “The Greatest Tradition in College Basketball.”

Aside from a down season during the COVID-impacted year of 2020-21 and a shocking first-round loss to No. 15 seeded Saint Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament last week, Kentucky is still viewed as one of the best programs in college basketball – and that has many, many recruits wanting to play in Lexington.

During his radio show on Monday night, Kentucky head coach John Calipari spoke about the many transfers wanting to make the move to the Wildcats’ program and made it clear that they won’t be able to bring in every single one.

“We are everybody’s Super Bowl and we have to make sure whoever comes can handle that environment,” Calipari said, as shared on Twitter by KSR. “As I have said, this isn’t for everybody.”

Calipari and Kentucky are coming off a successful 26-8 season, which included a 14-4 mark in SEC play – but the Wildcats’ upset loss in the NCAA Tournament is what is currently sitting with the Big Blue Nation.

Calipari admits to big mistake during NCAA Tournament upset loss

On John Calipari’s radio show on Monday night, the Kentucky head coach took all of the blame for the Wildcats’ early loss in the NCAA Tournament and admitted to one crucial mistake he made: not playing Jacob Toppin more. Toppin – who was averaging just over six points and three rebounds per game – played 16 minutes in the loss to Saint Peter’s.

“It was one of the first things after the game,” Calipari said, as shared on Twitter by KSR’s Tyler Thompson. “I looked at the stats and I said, ‘I should have gotten Jacob more time.’ He and I talked about it after. … He should have gotten more time, without question.”