Calipari's update on Daimion Collins as Collins mourns the passing of his father, Ben

Kentucky Basketball opened its 2022-23 season without Daimion Collins on the Wildcats’ active roster as the sophomore forward spends some time away from basketball to grieve the unexpected loss of his father. Last week between Kentucky’s two preseason exhibition games, Collins flew home to Atlanta, Texas to be with his mother and siblings following the passing of Ben Collins at the young age of 43 years old. Ben and Daimion were together at UK’s practice facility the night before Ben died alone in his new Lexington apartment, where he had recently moved to be closer to Daimion and support his young basketball career.

Calipari told Daimion to take as long as he needs to heal. “We’ll hold the fort down for you,” Calipari said.

Kentucky held the fort down in Game 1 of the regular season with a 95-63 win over Howard to tip off the new year. Before the game, UK’s Director of Player Development, TJ Beisner, called Collins on Facetime so he could feel a part of the pregame walk to the court and player introductions from afar.

After the game, Calipari provided an update on Collins’ status, saying he is expected back in Lexington later Monday night.

“He has an option. He can stay at my house or stay at the lodge with the guys,” Calipari said. “My guess is he’ll be with the guys and they’ll all greet him tonight.”

Collins will travel back to Texas for his father’s funeral Saturday morning.

“There’s nothing you can say to change that grief”

Last week when John Calipari met with his players–some of whom were with Daimion and Ben that last night–to share the tragic news, he admitted, “I was good until I walked in the room and saw their faces.” When Calipari gathered himself, part of his message to the team was, “It wasn’t what Ben did and it’s not something that someone did to Ben. God took him.”

Another part of the message: look out for their brother, Daimion.

“They got to be there for each other,” Calipari explained last week. “Spending time with Daimion, you know, he’s very quiet. I told him, grieving and depression, you’re going to get in a dark place. And my only thing to him was, if all you’re doing is sleeping and looking at that phone, you’re in that dark place. And if you need to talk to players, talk to your teammates. Even if you’re crying, you got to talk to somebody.”

After Monday night’s win to open the season, Calipari added, “This been a rough deal and, you know, every person grieves differently, and there’s nothing you can say to change that grief. It’s just we’re here for you. We love you.”