John Calipari provides updates on Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, others heading into Kansas game

Kentucky is still dealing with some significant question marks when it comes to availability at the start of this season. However, ahead of their matchup with Kansas in the Champion’s Classic, John Calipari provided as many answers as he could regarding statuses that were previously, or still are in one case, up in the air.

Calipari addressed four different players and their shots at playing in Chicago on Tuesday during his press conference on Monday. He started with the positive as he said Adou Thiero will play after missing their last game after being in concussion protocol.

“I believe Adou will be fine,” said Calipari.

Then, after that, Calipari swung to the negative, yet expected, side of things. Although they’re both nearing their own eventual returns after missing the past few months, he said neither Aaron Bradshaw nor Ugonna Onyenso would be ready to go in time to play against the Jayhawks.

“The other guys? Aaron will not (play), Ugonna will not (play).”

Finally, Calipari touched on the biggest query of Kentucky’s season so far in Zvonimir Ivisic. After the Wildcats added him later in the year, the 7’2 Croatian has yet to receive clearance from the NCAA. Now, ahead of the Top-20 contest inside the United Center, there’s a chance, if even a very small one, that he could appear depending on if he manages to receive that approval in time.

“We’ve got to hear on (Ivisic) in the next couple of days or he will not,” said Calipari.

“The NCAA has 45 days to make a judgement from the time he gets here. So there’s still a couple weeks left in that. So, if we’d have gotten him in earlier, we would know. But it is what it is. It’s not the NCAA – they’ve got a choice. Again, they get information, they ask questions, they get answers from the club and everybody. That’s where it is right now,” Calipari explained. “My hope is they have enough information to make a decision before the game tomorrow.”

In all likelihood, Kentucky will be short handed again, specifically in the frontcourt, in the Windy City against the top team in the nation. They’ll have to make do with what they have, though, in order to avoid their fourth straight loss in the event.

Kentucky’s Justin Edwards first college athlete to join Klutch Athletics by New Balance brand

Justin Edwards could end up as the top pick in this upcoming spring’s NBA Draft.

Before the small forward turns his attention to his lottery pick status, he’s playing out his freshman season at Kentucky. The former five-star recruit is averaging 14 points and six rebounds through two games this season.

Now, he has become the first college athlete and basketball player to sign with Klutch Athletics by New Balance. The sportswear brand founded by Rich Paul is available at select New Balance retail locations throughout the country.

“It means so much to me to join Klutch Athletics and be the first college athlete and first basketball player on the roster,” Edwards said. “I love the way the brand is blending performance with style, giving me something equally effective for training or relaxing. Joining Klutch Athletics and New Balance is such a unique opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

While he will wear the Nike swoosh on the court for Kentucky, Edwards will be starring in marketing campaigns for Klutch Athletics by New Balance.

“We’re thrilled to welcome an incredible talent like Justin to the Klutch Athletics roster,” Paul said. “I can’t think of a better fit to be our first college athlete and first basketball player. Not only does he have outstanding skills on the court, he’s also a young man of great character who cares about his community and embodies what it means to Be Klutch.”