John Calipari says his top goal last season was to get eight players in the NBA Draft, not win a national championship.
Calipari’s comments came during a 15-minute speech at the Alltech conference in Rupp Arena on Wednesday.
Here is an excerpt of his comments via Yahoo! Sports:
Most of the 15-minute speech consisted of Calipari describing the qualities a good leader should have and explaining how he gets his players to come together in pursuit of a common goal. The only potential surprise was what Calipari insisted Kentucky’s primary objective last season was.
“Last year we started the season with a goal,” Calipari said. “You may think it was to win a national title or win all the games, [but] it was to get eight players drafted. Well, how can you be about your team if you’re worried about getting players drafted? We kind of work it the other way. What are your dreams? What are you looking for? What are you trying to get out of life? How can we help you with that?
“For me, the mission for me is to be a vehicle to help others reach their dreams, to be the stone that creates the ripple in their lives that goes on and on and on. Now in our state, they want my mission to be, ‘win national titles, win national titles.’ My mission is bigger than that.”
Wednesday’s speech certainly isn’t the first time Calipari has made headlines by seemingly prioritizing draft picks over championship rings.
Obviously, some UK fans are not happy with Calipari’s comments. What are your thoughts?
