Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari was the face of men’s college basketball’s unique era after the NBA changed its draft eligibility requirements by acquiring high school talent ready to enter after just one season to move on to professionals.
Calipari said Tuesday that the introduction of the transfer portal is essentially the same as a one-time measure, because players can compete at a school for a season and then enter the portal.
“It’s also a one-time thing,” he told ESPN’s SportsCenter: “Everyone was upset that a young player came in and only stayed a year.” Well, now we’re doing it with older players. It’s the same as one time.
Calipari said there were dozens of players in the transfer portal who didn’t have scholarships and claimed other head coaches were holding on to extra scholarships in case a good transfer player became available, hurting the high school players. The Wildcats general said the NCAA should allow players to transfer one time without penalty and play only four years out of a five-year window, according to ESPN.
“The problem is this: I think a child should be able to change just once without penalty,” he added. “You’re making a mistake or you’re not where you want to be, I get it.”
Calipari has been head coach since the 2009/10 season. Kentucky won the national championship in 2012.
