Kentucky contradicts John Calipari daughter’s report on Calipari, NBA Draft attendance

Kentucky Basketball coach John Calipari is typically an annual NBA Draft attendee. He goes to support the players he coached that are getting drafted and seems to find his way in front of a camera during his visits — usually to promote UK hoops. However, it appears Calipari skipped out on the festivities this year.

According to Matt Jones, of Kentucky Sports Radio, the Wildcats’ head coach was not in attendance on Thursday. Jones tweeted:

“UK confirms that John Calipari didn’t attend the NBA Draft last night but talked to both players before and gave his support.”

Kentucky players Shaedon Sharpe and TyTy Washington were the two representing the ‘Cats at the draft this year. Sharpe famously did not play for Kentucky after reclassifying and joining the 2021-22 team. He declared for the 2022 draft and kept his name in rather than ever suit up in the blue and white, and was drafted seventh by Portland.

Meanwhile, TyTy Washington was one of the last green room invitees remaining. Memphis finally took him at 29 and wound up being trading him to Minnesota.

Calipari’s daughter responds to rumors that Kentucky coach didn’t attend NBA Draft

By Barkley Truax

John Calipari knows a thing or two about sending his players to the NBA Draft every season, which means it’s his job to attend each years event to send his Kentucky players off to become millionaires and All Stars. 

The 2022 NBA Draft is no different. Kentucky’s Shaedon Sharpe and TyTy Washington were both projected first rounders heading into Thursday, so why wouldn’t he attend if he could?

If rumors were to be believed, Calipari stayed home in Lexington. Right as his 2022-2023 Wildcats squad has been getting their feet wet at the Joe Craft Center. Calipari’s daughter, Dr. Erin Calipari, cleared up those rumors for those still wondering where Calipari was Thursday.

“[John Calipari is] literally sending me selfies from the draft while the talking heads on here discuss why he isn’t there. You guys really need to watch where you get your news from,” Erin Calipari wrote.