Since its inception in 2006, no man has become more synonymous with the so-called “one and done” rule than Kentucky head coach John Calipari. There’s a reason. In his four years at UK, Calipari has coached 11 players who have spent just one season in Lexington before bolting for the NBA.
John Calipari hates the ‘one and done’ rule, wants it changed
The man with the most ties to the NBA’s “one and done” rule might also be the rule’s most outspoken opponent.
Andy Lyons
In all, Calipari has sent 15 Wildcats off to the league, 11 of whom were selected in the first round of the draft. At least two more figure to add to that total next month, including likely No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel. A pair of Final Four appearances and the program’s eighth national title have also left the rabid members of the Big Blue Nation fully satisfied with the John Calipari experience.
With all that being the case, and with arguably the best recruiting class in the history of college basketball on its way to Lexington, you’d think Calipari would be content with the state of things. Instead, as he told Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio Thursday morning, Calipari thinks it’s past time to do away with the rule he’s become known for embracing.
“I’m the one guy out there saying we’ve gotta change this somehow,” Calipari said. “We’ve gotta encourage these kids to stay two years. But the NCAA’s gotta do some stuff, and if they don’t do it we need to separate from them. I’m not afraid to say it. Look, they’ve embarrassed me. I’ve done nothing, so they’re not gonna come in, show retribution to me and do stuff. I don’t really care. But something’s gotta change with this one-and-done rule. I seem to be the coach saying anything.”
To be fair to the NCAA, the rule requiring players to be one year removed from high school in order to be eligible for the NBA Draft is an NBA one. It was implemented by David Stern seven years ago.
Kentucky’s 2013 recruiting class features an unprecedented six McDonald’s All-Americans, including the top players in the country at three different positions. Four of those incoming freshmen are currently projected to be selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by NBADraft.net.
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