John Calipari thanks Drake for letting Kentucky basketball practice at his house

During Kentucky’s trip to Canada this week, Wildcats coach John Calipari got the keys to Drake’s $100 million mansion so his team could practice. It turns out they also got access to more than just the basketball court.

Calipari tweeted a video from Drake’s outdoor pool and thanked the music icon in the process. It looked like he was living his best life as Kentucky wraps up its Canadian tour this week following the GLOBL JAM. After all, Drake is currently on tour, meaning the ‘Cats could play while he was away.

“Alright, we’re at Drake’s, relaxing,” Calipari said in the video. “Really wish he were with us. But as I walk around — what is that? Is that a hotel? Oh my gosh. Here comes goofballs.”

Thanks to my friend @Drake for opening his home to our team today!! pic.twitter.com/lBBMUOkPad

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) July 14, 2023

As Calipari finished the video, it sounded like some of the players were trying to get him to jump into the pool. He shot that idea down right away — with a smile, of course.

“I’m not getting in,” he said.

The trip to Drake’s house wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, though. Before the Wildcats embarked on their trip to the Great White North, Calipari confirmed his team might make a stop.

“I do have keys to his house, so I may drop the team by his house,” Calipari said June 30, via KSR’s Daniel Hager. “I want to see the court because he has Toronto Raptors, Leafs, and Kentucky stuff there. But believe me, ‘I already called and said I need you to coach my team’.”

Drake’s mansion is impressive. It’s 50,000 square feet and has a huge basketball court — known as “The Sanctuary” — inside. Drake is a noted basketball fan and a friend of the Kentucky program, notably making an appearance at Big Blue Madness in 2009 and returning in 2017.

Even though he wasn’t home, Kentucky still got a warm welcome when they arrived. The team was greeted by a big banner that read “Welcome University of Kentucky” and there were balloons by the pool that spelled out “Wildcats.”

It was quite the way to cap off a hot start the Canadian excursion. Kentucky represented Team USA at the GLOBL JAM and went 2-0 in the first two games, defeating Germany and Canada earlier this week before a day off on Friday. The Wildcats are set to take on Africa July 15 before playing in either the bronze-medal or gold-medal game on July 16.