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John Calipari shares his thoughts following Team USA win over Bal Select

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•07/15/23
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Photo by Mont Dawson | Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky head coach John Calipari has been busy coaching the Wildcats at the GLOBL Jam in Canada. The Wildcats are representing Team USA in the tournament, and they moved to 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, punching their tickets to Sunday evening’s gold medal game. They defeated Bal Select from Africa, 104-92, in a game that was closer than the final score indicates. Following the win, Calipari spoke with one of the reporters on the floor.

Check out the interview below. You can also see the transcribed version below the interview.

John Calipari shares his postgame thoughts

“Well, we had foul trouble. Africa played really well. They posted. They shot the ball better than they had in this tournament. Got us in foul trouble. Outrebounded us. And we found a way,” Calipari began.

“The thing I kept talking to ’em about, our team. The moment. These shots are the moment. These are the ones that put you over. D.J. [Wagner] had ’em, Antonio [Reeves] had ’em, Tre [Mitchell] had ’em. I’ll go right down the line. They made plays to keep this in double digits and they were big plays, big shots. Reed [Sheppard] did it. Played great. You know it was a good win….It was a hard game,” the Kentucky head man said.

He wasn’t kidding about Antonio Reeves, who drilled eight three-pointers on the night, leading all UK scorers with 27 points. D.J. Wagner poured in 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out five assists.

The Wildcats have been spending some time recently at Drake’s mansion, practicing and enjoying some leisure time.

“We were at Drake’s yesterday and we were swimming doing fun [stuff]. And we already know we’re in the gold medal game. This was a hard game. But they performed. I was proud of them,” Calipari said.

What’s the focal point going into the gold medal game?

“Just mindset. Again, I don’t know. Whoever we play, I imagine they’re going at us in the post, I would say,” Calipari continued. “But we knew that. I thought today coming in, we’d have some trouble. I thought Jordan did great again. Just didn’t have enough energy, but you know, I knew that would happen. Because of yesterday, already here, let’s play….But it was a good win.”

Team USA will face the winner of the Germany vs. Canada game. Germany and Canada will face off on Saturday night, July 15th. The gold medal game will be played on Sunday, July 16th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

For more information on the GLOBL JAM, check out this link here.