Top 5 Moments from Coach Cal Team USA Press Conference

Photo: FIBA

Admitting when he’d been out-coached 

Coach Calipari wasn’t afraid to say that Team USA’s loss to Canada was no fluke, “Yesterday we really got outplayed, out coached, everything” he admitted, but added that he was proud of his guys for bouncing back the next day, “You come back and you play like we played, you know this guy here, Immanuel, he played out of his mind… he came like ok that’s done, bounce back, let’s play.”

Talking about his Kentucky boys 

“I learned a lot about PJ and Hami both some strengths and weaknesses, you saw I did some stuff with Hami at the end cuz he was struggling and I wanted him to know ‘I’m with you, I’m with you, I’m gunna help you but you gotta let me coach you.'” Doesn’t that just warm your heart? Calipari will always look out for his Wildcats.

Talking about using his Kentucky coaching technique 

Even though, for the FIBA U19 Tournament, Coach Calipari was the head of the USA Team he let us know he never takes off his UK coaching hat. “I approached this just, so you know, like I was coaching my Kentucky team,” saying that he coaches each player individually, so they know the game is about them.

Announcing he’s a proud Italian 

When asked who he thought would win the Canada v Italy game, he said coyly that he was friends with the Canadian coach but reminded everyone he was a duel-citizen of both the U.S and Italy. “I’m gunna keep it to myself but I’m an Italian citizen,” Calipari smiled.  

Reminding us that Big Blue Nation is all that matters

Calipari switched gears when asked about what he will take back home from the tournament. Hamidou Diallo and PJ Washington are already Wildcats and Calipari said after the tournament, he has a better idea on how to coach them. “I think those two will be outstanding, I can’t wait to get back to my team.” Aww BBN missed you too.

Bonus Moment

(If you go to minute 2:32 you can hear Calipari say “oh shit” when he finds out a Draft Express reporter is about to question him)