John Calipari visiting Kentucky's No. 1 Recruiting Class this week

With Finals Week underway, John Calipari gave his players yesterday and today off from practice. Cal is taking advantage of that extra time to check in on his next crop of Wildcats. Last night, Cal and Orlando Antigua were courtside at Freedom Hall to watch Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard in the Play-by-Play Classic. Today, he’s in Atlanta to check in on five-star combo guard Rob Dillingham at Overtime Elite. Calipari also plans to go to New Jersey to see five-star teammates DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw at Camden this week.

“Really enjoyed watching @reed_sheppard and @Jedwards3_ last night,” Calipari tweeted this morning. “Both played well and both have really improved since I last saw them. And, most importantly, they are great teammates!! Can’t wait to coach them both next year.

“Now I’m in Atlanta at @OvertimeElite to see Rob play. He’s going through an individual workout this morning and then I’ll watch him play and practice later. Haven’t seen him since I was out in California and I’m really excited to spend time with him and watch him play.

“I’ll see DJ and @bradshawaaron25 next. Going to stop in and watch one of their games. This is a great group we have for next year!”

I’ll see DJ and @bradshawaaron25 next. Going to stop in and watch one of their games. This is a great group we have for next year!

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) December 12, 2022

In five games this season, Dillingham is averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. He’s shooting 40.4% from the floor and 43.5% from three, making an average of 2.5 threes per game. If you haven’t been watching his games on Amazon Prime on Friday nights, YouTube is full of highlights.

Kentucky leaves for New York on Thursday for the CBS Sports Classic. That night, Camden plays at Rancocas Valley, which is about an hour and a half from Manhattan. If the timing works out, I imagine we’ll get a Calipari sighting on the sidelines as he checks in on Wagner and Bradshaw.

Edwards, Sheppard share MVP honors at PBP Classic

With their future coach in the stands, Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard put on a show in Louisville last night. Edwards’ Imhotep beat Sheppard’s North Laurel 59-54, with Edwards finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and Sheppard 14 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. The two shared Play-by-Play Classic MVP honors.

We’ll have complete highlights and quotes from both players for you later today. Until then, enjoy Jack Pilgrim and Zack Geoghegan’s Rapid Reaction.

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