John Calipari reveals Anthony Davis made significant donation to Kentucky Flood Relief

Anthony Davis warmed the heart of John Calipari with a tremendous gesture that will go a long way to helping the citizens of Kentucky.

While the former Wildcats star left the state in 2012 for the NBA, Davis will never forget how welcoming Kentucky was to him. As the state deals with a flood that has devastated many, the Los Angeles Lakers star reached out to his former coach to see how he could help.

This is what makes you proud as a coach.

I didn’t want to ask any of our former guys for help since six months ago they gave to the tornado victims in west Kentucky, but without my asking, @AntDavis23 got in touch with me tonight. pic.twitter.com/DQn3EGEDcM

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) August 3, 2022

“This is what makes you proud as a coach,” began Calipari. “I didn’t want to ask any of our former guys for help since six months ago they gave to the tornado victims in west Kentucky, but without my asking, @AntDavis23 got in touch with me tonight.

“After watching all of the devastation and, knowing what our players did tonight – he has offered to give $350,000 to the Kentucky Flood Relief. That’s servant leadership in action, that’s staying connected to this program and this state. Love you, Ant.”

As you can see, that’s no small donation from Anthony Davis to the people of Kentucky. While Anthony Davis is almost a decade removed from calling the state home, the former Wildcats star will never forget how big of a role “The Bluegrass State” played in his journey.

Kentucky basketball announces open practice, telethon to support flood victims

Extensive flooding has impacted the eastern part of Kentucky the last several days. The death toll has risen to 26 people as multiple communities and their residents remain inaccessible. As storms continue to roll through the area, the situation may only get worse as the water continues to rise.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari hinted at an effort he and his program would be announcing today in order to raise money for the victims of the flooding. That announcement came in a video where the team says they’ll be holding both an open practice and a telethon whose proceeds will go to eastern Kentucky.

#BBN, we need you on Tuesday.

Join us for an open practice at Rupp Arena and the Kentucky Flood Relief Telethon with proceeds going to the @RedCross to those affected by the floods in Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/khuCgi1iAT

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 31, 2022

The practice and telethon will be held this Tuesday on August 2nd. The Wildcat’s open practice will take place at Rupp Arena with doors opening at 5 p.m. More details about both will be released to start the week.

The event will allow fans to see the Wildcats before they head to the Bahamas the following week for their foreign tour. It will also provide an opportunity to raise money for those in desperate need from areas like Floyd, Knott and Perry county. It’s just the latest in a line of efforts from the program to help impacted parts of their state.