4-Point Play: Caleb Wilson 'definitely still interested' in Kentucky after 'Cal University' moves to Arkansas

How is John Calipari selling Arkansas basketball to five-star recruits? Well, he’s not selling the Razorbacks, really, but rather his own brand and its simple move from Lexington to Fayetteville.

2025 top-three prospect Cameron Boozer told KSR this past weekend Coach Cal called him to say “he’s the same coach, just moving headquarters” while adding “he said it’s like when a big company moves to a new location, it’s the same thing he did.”

Calipari University relocates to Fayetteville

Now, fellow five-star rising senior Caleb Wilson confirmed that’s the same messaging he received from Calipari following his transition to Arkansas.

“He came to my school maybe a week or so ago,” Wilson said. “That’s when I got the offer. They’re telling me it’s (Coach) Cal University, just moving homes. That’s what he said.”

The 6-foot-9 power forward out of Holy Innocents (GA), a top-five prospect in his own right, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Calipari was taking the Arkansas job — initially, at least. As the dust settled, though, it kind of made sense. Wilson saw the reaction following Kentucky’s loss to Oakland in the NCAA Tournament and knew how personally Coach Cal took the criticism.

As wild as the move from blue to red was in general, a fresh start for both sides was something he completely understood.

“I was extremely shocked, but I kind of thought it was coming because all of the talk about him not actually being a good coach, stuff like that,” he told KSR. “And knowing Cal, he’s a really passionate guy and he takes pride in coaching, so I’m sure that made him feel some type of way. I could see it, I could definitely see it.”

“Definitely still interested” in Kentucky

So where do things stand with Kentucky, a school previously deemed a top contender to land his commitment when the day comes? Wilson hasn’t spoken with Mark Pope specifically — though new associate head coach Alvin Brooks III told him “he was moving homes” from Waco to Lexington — but he remains interested in the Wildcats.

“Coach Pope has not reached out,” he said. “I’m still interested in the school. They have a good basketball program, but coach Pope hasn’t reached out. It’s still an SEC program. They still have a rich basketball culture, whether Coach Cal is there or not.

“Of course Coach Cal added to that prestige and the culture, but it’s still an SEC school. It’s like any SEC school, you’re going to get a great fanbase and great competition. I feel like they will still be good. I’m definitely still interested in them, for sure.”

Other schools in the running

That’s just Kentucky and Arkansas, though. What about the other schools in contention?

Wilson singled out Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC, Baylor and Auburn as other programs pushing for him the hardest at this point in time, breaking each program down one by one:

Georgia Tech: “(Damon) Stoudamire is a cool guy, he used to be the Rookie of the Year. He knows basketball and has a good offensive system, just needs players. I really like his system, for sure. They’re recruiting some good talent.”

Duke: “It’s just a rich basketball culture. They’ve definitely had great power forwards and small forwards. That’s what I want to be in the NBA, a small forward or power forward. I definitely look at them and see that translation. I like it.”

North Carolina: “I talk to Coach Hubert (Davis) every once or twice a month. I talk to Coach May sometimes. It’s always really positive. I really like their culture. It’s a blue blood and I just like the conversations we have.”

Baylor: “Scott Drew is a passionate coach. Every time I talk to him, he’s screaming.”

Auburn: “I hear from them probably once or twice every other week, so like once a week. Coach (Bruce Pearl) is a really passionate guy. Hard-nosed, good coach, ut still has good values. They have a really serious fanbase and it’s the SEC, a physical conference, so I feel like they would prepare me for the next level.”

A decision timeline and what he’s looking for

What could a decision timeline look like? That remains completely up in the air with the coaching carousel spinning out of control this offseason. He needs some time for it to come to a complete stop before he knows for certain which direction he wants to take his future.

“Probably next fall or next spring,” Wilson said. “With all these coaching changes, I’m not rushing anything.”

As for what he’s looking for in a school, that part is pretty easy.

“A good culture with a good academic standing, a hard coach,” he told KSR. “I want a coach who is going to push me to be the best I can. I feel like I’m a good player right now, but I’m nowhere near where I can be.”