John Calipari identifies pros and cons of NIL, transfer portal

Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari has seen and done a lot during his college career. From taking UMass to the Final Four and Memphis to a national championship game, to finally winning a championship at Kentucky, Calipari has been a key figure in the sport. Now, he is facing new challenges in NIL and the transfer portal.

NIL first became legal in July of 2021. The one-time transfer rule took effect on April 28, 2021. Both of these gave more rights to the student-athlete and shook up the college sports world. Now, players have freedom of movement. They can also make some money while they play, even though most deals are relatively small.

Each of these would have provided a challenge for coaches like John Calipari. Combined, this is a major shift in how college sports operate, which has dominated the news cycle.

One thing that makes a great coach great is the ability to analyze a situation and move forward with a gameplan. John Calipari knows this and now he’s identified the pros and cons of NIL and the transfer portal.

“If a guy is a first-round draft pick, the marketing agencies will do (it) for those kids,” John Calipari told media. Talking about transfers, most of them transferred because they weren’t first-round draft picks. Just a fact. And they’re either going for a place to try and break through. But, for us, it’s not hurt, it’s helped. I knew the transfer portal and I knew name, image, and likeness would be fine.”

John Calipari feels that Kentucky basketball stars handle the NIL through marketing agencies. It doesn’t impact the program as much as some people think it might. He also points out that players who transfer out may not be the players you wanted, mentally.

However, where John Calipari seems concerned is for the student-athletes who make a mistake by transferring too quickly, reacting to a bump in the road.

“I’m not sure the transfer portal is the right thing for the game, for the kids. How do you transfer three times and then graduate? You’re not gonna graduate. The first sign of trouble, you run. Well, thank goodness Immanuel Quickley didn’t run. Thank goodness PJ Washington didn’t run. Thank goodness Willie Cauley (Cauley-Stein) and Nick Richards didn’t run. They’ve stayed and fought and all got drafted. That’s what you’re trying to teach.”