You might want to sit down for this one. It’s going to come as quite a surprise. While John Calipari prepares for another trip to the Final Four, there are reports that his program might have recently been involved in a recruiting scandal -- sort of. The questions surround a one-time Calipari aid, Bilal Batley, who had already resigned for “family reasons” after a different secondary violations that what’s now being alleged. Take it away, FOXSports.com:
Report: Kentucky’s John Calipari Once Employed Odd Individual
But a nearly two-year FOXSports.com investigation revealed that Batley also broke NCAA rules by making repeated impermissible telephone calls while at both Memphis and Kentucky to recruits such as DeMarcus Cousins and their parents.
Leaving aside the questionable use of manpower by Fox -- really, a two-year media investigation usually results in someone getting indicted -- the report does seem to fall into the time-tested Calipari pattern of some sort of questions being raised about recruiting methods, but always in a way that gives the head coach plausible deniability.
And in fairness to Fox, they did turn up more than just the phone calls; they also turned up abundant evidence that Batley has a unique past. And he’s kind of weird, or at least very confused.
Batley recommended that FOXSports.com call former NBA coach and mentor John Lucas for “anything about me.” Batley said he works for Lucas and got his coaching start under him, but declined to give specifics. ...
“I don’t know why he gave you my number to call,” Lucas said.
Lucas said he would talk to Batley and call back FOXSports.com, but he never did. Lucas did not return subsequent telephone and text messages left on his cell phone.
So everyone go to your assigned roles now. Those who think Calipari is a snake, your line is: “Sure, once again he conveniently knows nothing about a questionable individual who works for him breaking rules.” Kentucky fans, yours is: “The media is full of HATERZ who just want to tear us down!”
And UK fans should really take heart. Even if the Fox report is right, Calipari might have a Final Four appearance overturned in personal-best time.
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