John Calipari on importance of in-state recruiting: 'It's the first place you look'

John Calipari brought in recruits from all over the country during his time at Kentucky, but the new Arkansas head coach also understands the importance of keeping in-state talent home.

Calipari was asked about his philosophy as far as in-state recruiting during his introductory press conference on Wednesday.

“It’s the first place you look,” John Calipari said. “Are they good kids and are they good enough? If they are, we’ll recruit them.”

Calipari pointed to a few in-state recruits who were important to Kentucky’s success in recent years, including guard Reed Sheppard during the 2023-24 season.

There were some who questioned how much Sheppard might be able to help the Wildcats, but he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a freshman this past season as Kentucky went 23-10 (13-5). He is expected to be a high draft pick whenever he comes out for the NBA draft.

“I did the same thing at Kentucky,” John Calipari said of recruiting in-state. “Derek Willis, Dominique Hawkins. Some of them are different paths, now. It may take them a little longer, but so what. Those kids are all professionals. Reed Sheppard. I mean, ‘Why’d he take him? He’s never going to play him.’

“What? I play the best players. ‘Well, he didn’t start him.’ He’s fine. He’s going to be a lottery pick. How about that?”

Calipari has had some success recruiting the state of Arkansas during his career. That includes bringing Little Rock, Arkansas native Archie Goodwin to Lexington and signing Jonesboro, Arkansas native Malik Monk to play for the Wildcats.

“Archie Goodwin was a good player for us. Malik [Monk] was a really good player for us,” Calipari said. “I have to tell you, Malik thought he never took a bad shot. And the reason was because he got it off. … But one of the greatest kids. Really smart.”

John Calipari shares importance of former players’ supporting his move to Arkansas

John Calipari has put quite a few players in the NBA by way of Kentucky. Many of them are coming out on social media to wish Coach Cal well at his new gig.

One former Kentucky star — Arkansas native Malik Monk — has already tweeted out: “Y’all gone see me in Bud Walton” now that Calipari is there.

Of course, many of Calipari’s players have also noted that Kentucky will always be home, but they won’t mind visiting their favorite head coach a few states south.

Calipari explained during his press conference what it means to have former players supporting his move.

“Well, you know, when you do everything you can to help a young man, you hold him accountable, you challenge him, you sometimes are aggressive, but they know you care enough to keep them doing what they’re doing,” said Calipari, noting that while he’s tough on players, ultimately he takes the blame off their shoulders as the head coach.

“They also know you never blame players when you lose, never. You take responsibility as a grown man, you take responsibility, you never throw a player under the bus and they know that. And they know I’ve stood up for every one of them.”