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Failures of Others Shouldn't Fall on Calipari's Shoulders

Pair of draft prospects' drop in NBA Draft not entirely coach's fault

Jacob Davis

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard Justin Edwards (1) during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky defeated Louisville 95-76.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard Justin Edwards (1) during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky defeated Louisville 95-76. / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorbacks coach John Calipari was in New York City Wednesday to celebrate his former Kentucky players during the 2024 NBA Draft.

Two of his top freshmen in Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner either went undrafted or returned to school. Those two dropping along with Rich Paul's comments about his client and former Wildcats star Chris Livingston drew ire from media.

Many projected Edwards a surefire top pick, but he failed to live up to expectations as a freshman. He was an ineffective scorer for much of SEC play, but did have his moment in a win over Alabama at home when he went 10-of-10 from the field, including four threes, to finish with 28 points. Edwards' jump in production his final seven games were not enough to sneak him into the draft.

Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul represents Lebron and Bronny James along with Edwards and Livingston. Paul told NBA teams not to select the younger James or he would flee for the NBL in Australia.

This alone shows the power 'King' James and his agent have in the basketball world. Bronny barely touched the floor at USC after being sidelined with a heart condition.

Despite this, teams passed on Edwards, who is a slightly older one-and-done prospect, while the Lakers took a potential draft pick off the board late in the second to do Lebron a favor in selecting his son.

As a result, maybe the blame should fall on Klutch and the James family instead of Calipari. It's possible the likes of Edwards, Livingston and other clients aren't getting their money's worth while Bronny, who did much less in college, received the perks of being drafted.

Lack of progression or development from high school to college and into the NBA has to fall on players and not solely on coaches. It's easy to blame Calipari from the outside looking in because he is at the top.

This situation sounds a lot more like mad parents watching their kids ride the pine rather than coaching malpractice. Let's be honest, defense was optional at Kentucky last year, which contributed to the Wildcats' shortcomings despite having two Top 10 picks.

Practice habits, being coachable or not being a good teammate are sometimes swept under the rug. However, that was far away from the issue for Big Blue's failures.

Kentucky was a story of two tales – an uber-efficient offense and less than desirable defense – a trend in the NBA trickling down to the college and grassroots circuits. The Wildcats were No. 7 in adjusted offensive efficiency but No. 109 defensively, per 2023-24 KenPom team ratings.

Underlying issues ultimately cost them a shot at a deep NCAA Tournament run with a loss to Oakland and new March legend Jack Gohlke. The Wildcats' red-hot offense during the regular season evaporated when it mattered most.

If it weren't for star guard Antonio Reeves' scoring 27 points on 5-of-9 shooting from deep, it might have been a Grizzlies rout. Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, both first round selections, went a combined 3-of-14 shooting that night after being near automatic bucket getters before the calendar flipped to March.

Calipari deserves to celebrate his success. Especially when a Bluegrass State native like Sheppard exceeded expectations to become pick No. 3 in the draft and 36th first round selection of Calipari's tenure, No. 41 of his overall college coaching career.

Sheppard deserves his flowers considering he didn't sign with the Wildcats as a 4-star prospect and consensus Top 30 prospect. He is the ultimate floor spacer at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with the ability to forge driving lanes and solid passing skills. His three-point shooting will be huge asset for Houston after he knocked down 52% (75-of-144) of attempts last season.

Dillingham decommitted from North Carolina State to play for Kentucky. The move paid off with him scoring 15 points per game and 45% mark from three despite one start.

He was highly productive as a freshman, scoring fewer than 10 points in only five games. Luckily, Dillingham will have time to work on his defense after being drafted by Minnesota, an immediate title contender in 2025.

One prospect who didn't see his draft stock fall this season was electric guard Antonio Reeves. The former Illinois State star transferred to Kentucky just as college basketball transitioned to a three-point driven sport.

Reeves had an incredible season from an offensive standpoint, sinking career high averages from the field (56%), beyond the arc (45%) and free throws (86%). He was selected No. 47 overall by New Orleans at 23-years-old.

College basketball is an ever-changing sport, but that doesn't mean Calipari is losing his touch placing players in the NBA. It doesn't matter if this was a weak draft class, he still produced two first round selections and an older player who is playing the best ball of his career.

Arkansas' roster is rich in NBA prospects like Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo, Karter Knox, Boogie Fland and more this coming season. Calipari University will move right along as always.

HOGS FEED:

• Former coach regrets how he treated Hunter Henry in high school

• Razorbacks continue to find success at U.S. Olympic trials

• Razorbacks' Calipari at NBA Draft one more notch in getting players

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Jacob Davis
JACOB DAVIS