John Calipari poses with former Kentucky stars at NBA All-Star game
Family is forever. After stunning Auburn at home on Saturday, Kentucky head coach John Calipari flew into Indianapolis to watch his former Kentucky standouts compete in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
Kentucky had seven alumni named All-Stars this season, the most from any school. For reference, the SEC boasted the most former players in the All-Star Game at eight. The only player from the SEC who didn’t play at Kentucky was Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Calipari’s once-Wildcats gave him a show. Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with a whopping 50 points on 23-35 shooting. Trailing closely behind, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied a highlight-filled 31 points. Collectively, Kentucky alumni amassed 115 points in the game.
Calipari’s products aren’t only putting up jaw-dropping numbers on the court. During an appearance on SportsCenter last year, the 65-year-old head coach revealed his former Kentucky players have collectively earned over $4 billion in their NBA contracts alone.
If they pitched in their endorsements as well, they’d boast the net worth of a small country. In fairness, Calipari has mentored a small army of NBA players. In total, while Calipari has been at Kentucky, 47 players have been selected in the NBA Draft, including 35 first-round picks.
After Kentucky’s win at Auburn, Calipari revealed his excitement to see his former players on the big stage.
“I am flying to Indianapolis, hopefully get together with the families, and then go enjoy six guys in the All-Star Game,” Calipari said. “‘You don’t care about basketball. Why would you go up there?’ Are you crazy? Do you understand it’s a record? Julius [Randle] is getting his shoulder worked on so he’s not going to be there, but the most ever from one school in an All-Star Game.”
Calipari was also quick to note several other Kentucky products could’ve easily been included in the special event.
“So we got seven without Jamal (Murray), without De’Aaron Fox,” Calipari added “So all the sudden you’re talking about let’s get half the guys in that game.”
The previous record for most All-Stars in one game by a single school was four, held by Kentucky (2018, 2023) and UCLA (1983). Seven is unprecedented, and nearly doubles the previous high. At his current rate, Calipari will add a few more players to his All-Star list soon.
In ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, both current Kentucky standouts Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham were listed as lottery picks. DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards and Aaron Bradshaw earned spots later in the draft, as well. Whether he’s winning or losing, John Calipari knows how to produce NBA talent.