Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

John Calipari will remain commander of Big Blue Nation through 2029.

The 60-year-old Kentucky men's basketball coach signed a 10-year contract extension worth $86 million guaranteed—a deal that was originally revealed in April—the university announced Thursday.

The agreement includes an option that would allow Calipari to step down and become a special assistant to the athletic director or a university representative, starting it its sixth year. 

Calipari arrived in Lexington in 2009. Since then, he has achieved the most overall wins (305), most NCAA tournament victories (56), and most Final Four, Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen appearances of any head coach. The Wildcats captured Calipari's lone national title in 2012.

Before he took over at Kentucky, Calipari spent eight seasons, from 1988 to 1996, at the University of Massachusetts and then coached at Memphis from 2000 to 2009.

Aside from his proven track record, Kentucky might have been pushed to lock down Calipari by what The Athletic's Seth Davis reported as a six-year, $48 million offer from UCLA. 

However, Calipari shut down that notion on his radio show on April 1 by saying his new deal with Kentucky "has nothing to do with the other stuff...people call every year." 

And why wouldn't they? 

Calipari holds a 750-211 career record and was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Brad Calipari, the son of Kentucky head coach John Calipari, entered the transfer portal Thursday, according to AL.com's Matt Zenitz.

In three seasons at Kentucky, the younger Calipari has played sparingly. He redshirted last season, meaning he will be a redshirt junior when he resumes playing at another school.

Calipari appeared in 27 games during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and averaged 0.4 points and 0.2 rebounds in 2.7 minutes per contest.

Given the fact that Kentucky tends to bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the nation on a yearly basis, Calipari spent most of his time with the Wildcats on the bench.

Although Calipari's numbers clearly don't leap off the page, he was part of two Elite Eight teams while at Kentucky and is coming from a winning environment under his father.

The 6'0", 179-pound guard was not a highly touted prospect when he signed with Kentucky, but he did average 15.3 points, 3.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from beyond the arc as a senior at MacDuffie School in Massachusetts.

Due to his pedigree, experience and shooting ability, Calipari is likely capable of taking on a much bigger role at a smaller school and contributing more to the team's on-court success than he was able to at Kentucky.

Small forward Johnny Juzang announced Friday he's decided to play college basketball at Kentucky. 

The 4-star prospect's commitment gives head coach John Calipari and the Wildcats the top 2019 recruiting class in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Juzang joins a star-studded incoming group for UK that also features 5-star prospects Tyrese Maxey, Kahlil Whitney and Keion Brooks as well as 4-star recruit Dontaie Allen. In addition, the Wildcats will welcome Nate Sestina as a transfer from Bucknell.

The Harvard-Westlake School (California) product was originally a member of the 2020 class before reclassifying in late April. He worked quickly to make a decision, narrowing his list to Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon and Virginia before choosing the Wildcats.

Calipari released a statement about the late addition to an already promising 2019 class, calling Juzang a "smart player who is really going to make us a different team next year."

"Johnny can really score the basketball. You're talking about a kid who has a college-ready body, which is why I was in full support of him reclassifying. When he told us he was doing it, I said let's do this. He can really shoot the basketball and has a great skill set, but what I love about him is his will to win, his fight and competitiveness. He likes to play physical and can shoot over the top of defenders, plus he's a very good rebounder for his age."

Juzang also made comments as part of UK's official announcement, noting he's not afraid of the competition on what's shaping up to become a title-contending roster.

"I want to be in an environment that challenges me, but also one that I can showcase my skill, fight and toughness," he said. "The opportunity to play for a Hall of Fame coach and shine on the biggest stage in college basketball in front of the greatest fans in the world is somewhat of a dream. I can't wait to get started."

Kentucky is tied with Virginia for the best odds to win the 2020 national championship at 7-1, per Vegas Insider. Duke and Michigan State (both 8-1) are the only other teams with a betting line below 10-1.

Kentucky forward Nick Richards announced his intention to enter the 2019 NBA draft Monday but will keep his options open. 

"After discussing my options with Coach Cal and my family, I decided to enter my name into the NBA Draft," Richards wrote on Twitter. "Using the rules in place, I want to explore every option and see where my game is. I know that my game has grown so much in my time at Kentucky and I want to thank Coach Cal and my teammates for pushing me to be my best every day.

"I want to keep all doors open. If this isn't my time, I'll be more than excited to suit up in front of the best fans in the country again next season and chase our goal of winning a championship," Richards said. "This is a learning process for me and I appreciate the Big Blue Nation for being both understanding and supportive of my decision. I can't thank you enough for welcoming me into your family from day one."

Richards has two years of eligibility remaining. He averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 37 starts during the 2018-19 season and is the fifth Kentucky player to declare for the 2019 draft.

Under new NCAA/NBA rules, Richards can hire an agent to help him in the draft process without losing eligibility. He may also return to school if he goes undrafted, provided he attends the NBA scouting combine.

Richards is a big center who does his best work near the rim, picking up rebounds and put backs. He's also flashed some ability to move away from the basket in the midrange, though coach John Calipari never entrusted him to carry much on the offensive end.

As of right now, Richards seems like a clear candidate to go undrafted. ESPN does not have him currently ranked in their top 100 prospects in the 2019 class.

However, Richards could greatly benefit from returning to school in 2019, where he'd likely have a more focal role. Calipari could rely on him as the steady veteran hand in the starting lineup that, as per usual, will look far different than its predecessor. Bucknell transfer Nate Sestina is the only member of the Wildcats' 2019 class who is a big man.

Redshirt freshman guard Jemarl Baker Jr. will transfer from Kentucky, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

Evan Daniels of 247Sports confirmed the report.

According to The Athletic's Kyle Tucker, this decision is something that has been in the works for months:

A 4-star recruit coming out of Eleanor Roosevelt (California) High School, Baker was part of what 247Sports rated as the No. 2 recruiting class in 2017.

However, the 6'4", 192-pound guard's time in Lexington has been plagued by injury.

Baker missed the entire 2017-18 season after undergoing knee surgery in October 2017. That procedure came after he went under the knife prior to his enrollment at Kentucky in an effort to fix a meniscus injury.

He was sidelined for the first month of this past season before ultimately making his Wildcats debut on Dec. 8, 2018, his team's ninth game of the season.

He appeared in 28 games in 2018-19, averaging 2.3 points on 32.8 percent shooting while logging 9.1 minutes per game. After arriving at Kentucky with the reputation of a three-point specialist, he made just 31 percent of his three-point attempts in his lone season with the Wildcats.

While some highly touted recruits may focus on individual stats, Baker has made it clear he is a team player.

"Whatever I can do to help my team win, however I can, whether I play four minutes or 15, I'm going to do it," Baker told Tucker earlier this year. "Just like my dad taught me."

Baker admitted to Tucker that he still felt rusty entering February as he continued to work his way back into playing shape following his injury.

It's not clear what schools Baker will consider as he explores his transfer options. It's important to note, though, that Tucker and Jon Hale of the Louisville Courier Journal wrote that the California native has let it be known he has felt homesick while at Kentucky.

Kentucky Wildcats freshman guard Keldon Johnson announced Wednesday he's staying in the 2019 NBA draft class.

Johnson, who declared for the draft last week after one season at UK, provided the update on Twitter:

The 19-year-old Oak Hill Academy (Virginia) product was always expected to become a one-and-done college player after arriving to Kentucky as a 5-star prospect and the No. 13 overall recruit in the 2018 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Now his quick jump to the NBA is confirmed after he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year for the 2018-19 season.

Johnson averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, including 38.1 percent from three, across 37 appearances for the Wildcats.

UK head coach John Calipari released a statement about the guard's decision to remain in June 20's draft at Barclays Center:

"Keldon has a game that will translate well to the next level. Of all the players in this draft, he could have one of the best transitions physically and athletically. He has all the tools you look for in a player in that league, and what makes him special is his joy for the game and his passion to get better. He improved in all phases of his game this year and will continue to grow in the NBA. I'll miss seeing that smile he brought to the gym every day but I'm happy for Keldon as he pursues his dream."

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the Orlando Magic to select Johnson with the No. 17 overall pick in his latest mock draft, writing:

"Johnson's appeal began fading over the final months of the season when he was making fewer threes—and plays in general—within the half court. However, with 6'6" size, strength and athleticism, he still provides plenty to like with his driving and slashing, advanced runner game, defensive potential and shot-making accuracy."

A strong showing during the draft process could push Johnson into the lottery.

The 2019 NBA draft class continues to add talent after Kentucky's Tyler Herro announced he was leaving school. 

Herro posted his farewell to the Wildcats on Twitter:

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman has Herro projected as a late-first round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 24 overall in his most recent mock draft. 

Wasserman had Herro ranked as his No. 18 overall prospect after the first weekend of the NCAA tournament with this scouting report:

"Though on and off throughout the season, Herro's shooting off spot-ups, screens and leakouts remains convincing. His 1.4 PPP as a pick-and-roll ball-handler also highlights his ball skills and ability to make plays off the dribble. With a 6'4½" wingspan, Herro does lack length for a 2-guard, raising some concern about him getting his shot off cleanly or defending wings."

Herro was part of John Calipari's 2018 recruiting class. He arrived at Kentucky as a 4-star prospect and No. 37 overall player, per 247Sports.

Alongside PJ Washington, Herro was instrumental in the Wildcats earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. He ranked second on the team with 14 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 93.5 percent from the free-throw line. 

Given Herro's age (19) and still-developing game, he has the talent to be a good sleeper for teams drafting outside the lottery.

Kentucky Wildcats freshman guard Keldon Johnson will enter the 2019 NBA draft, according to Kentucky Basketball.

Johnson also released a statement Wednesday regarding his decision to turn pro:

"I've spent a lot of time over the last week thinking about what's best for me and my future. I've sat down with my family and Coach Cal and determined that testing the waters and getting information back from the NBA is the best thing for me at this time. My hope is to be a lottery pick. If I am, I plan on pursuing my dreams and staying in the draft, but I want to go through the process first and get the correct information."

Johnson arrived at Kentucky with plenty of hype. The Oak Hill Academy (Virginia) product was a 5-star prospect and the No. 13 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Although the 19-year-old McDonald's All-American struggled with consistency as a freshman, his elite long-term upside was evident.

Johnson averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 37 appearances for UK. He shot 46.3 percent from the field, including 38.1 percent from three-point range and 70.3 percent on free throws.

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The 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year also wasn't afraid to speak up and take on a leadership role. After sparking a late-February comeback win over the Arkansas Razorbacks, he discussed his constant desire to "give my team some energy."

"Just competing and having fun playing the game of basketball," Johnson told reporters. "I just love playing basketball."

He must translate that intensity and love for the game into more meaningful contributions at the defensive end if he's eventually going to become an NBA star. That said, his physical tools and offensive skill set make him an intriguing prospect.

All told, the shooting guard has the potential to land inside the draft's top 10, though Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman is a little more wary, projecting him to be the No. 17 overall pick in his latest mock. 

Johnson is far from a polished product, which made his draft decision a little less certain than some of his fellow top prospects. Landing with a team where he can play ample minutes to accelerate his development will be key.

Kentucky guard Ashton Hagans announced Tuesday he's returning to the Wildcats for the 2019-20 college basketball season rather than entering the 2019 NBA draft. 

"I'm back like I forgot my keys!" Hagans wrote on Instagram.

The 19-year-old Georgia native went through an up-and-down freshman campaign at the offensive end for the Wildcats. He averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and only 27.5 percent from three-point range across 37 appearances (30 starts).

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Hagans, who arrived in Lexington as a 5-star prospect and the No. 12 overall recruit in the 2018 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, was a defensive force, though. His contributions, highlighted by 1.6 steals per game and terrific on-ball defense, led him to earn Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in the SEC alongside LSU's Tremont Waters.

He was rated the No. 30 player in the projected 2019 draft class by NBADraft.net before he announced his intention to play another season with Kentucky.

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Hagans' return bolsters the Wildcats' chances in what was already shaping up as a promising 2019-20 season. They join the reigning champion Virginia Cavaliers as early co-favorites with 7-1 odds to win the 2020 NCAA tournament, per Vegas Insider.

On a personal level, the guard's draft stock could skyrocket with a sophomore campaign in which he makes a bigger offensive impact, especially if his outside shooting improves.

Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach John Calipari questioned critics of the lifetime contract extension he signed with the school on Monday. 

Calipari appeared on the Wednesday edition of ESPN's Get Up (via Chris Fisher of 247Sports) to discuss his new deal and noted he didn't understand the negative response from some media members.

"There are people that, I don't know if it's their opinion or their hope, but they get mad and it's like, 'Why are you mad? What's this make you mad about?' Our fans are happy, our administration is happy, I'm happy. I guess that's all it's about."

Kentucky came to terms with Calipari on the unique long-term contract amid rumors the UCLA Bruins were trying to make a push to hire him away.

Seth Davis of The Athletic reported UCLA offered a six-year, $48 million contract, but the 60-year-old Pennsylvania native turned down the proposal.

Although Calipari didn't discuss specifics during his appearance on Get Up, he did state he's regularly in contact with people outside Kentucky at both the collegiate and NBA levels, per Forbes' Adam Zagoria.

"So yeah, I talk to people at the end of every year," he said. "I've talked to NBA teams at the end of every year. And it may not be something that I have an interest in, it may be a relationship that I want to have because a lot of times they're drafting my kids, and I want to be able to pick up a phone to an owner and say, 'Hey, what about my guy?'"

Clay Travis of Fox Sports Radio was among those to speak out about the deal, arguing the contract is "indefensible given revenue UK basketball produces" and his status as a state employee.

The former head coach of the Massachusetts Minutemen, Memphis Tigers and the NBA's New Jersey Nets said he doesn't see the reasoning behind the backlash.

"Let me say this, a lifetime contract, sometimes they declare you dead in three years," Calipari said on Get Up. "So you never know with this stuff how it goes."

Calipari owns a 305-71 record across 10 years at Kentucky, highlighted by leading the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012.