WATCH: Keshad Johnson tours John Calipari's office during Kentucky visit
What is it like to be an official visitor for the Kentucky basketball program under head coach John Calipari? San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson is giving fans an exclusive look as he tours the facilities during his mid-week trip to Lexington.
Visiting from May 10-12, the 6-foot-7 forward out of Oakland, CA showed off some of the school’s decor upon his arrival Wednesday evening. Posting the footage on his Instagram story, he started with the wall of first-round draft picks throughout the program’s rich history, followed by the Joe Craft Center — potentially his future practice floor.
Title banners and former Kentucky standouts now hooping in the NBA.
That was just the opening-night walkthrough. The real fun began Thursday when Johnson got the blue carpet treatment inside John Calipari’s office, fascinated by the Hall of Fame coach’s endless collection of memorabilia.
“God!” the senior transfer said. “Nah, this is wild.”
Calipari immediately transitioned into ‘The Kobe Story,’ explaining to the individual alongside Johnson on his visit that he nearly took Bryant in the NBA Draft during his time with the New Jersey Nets.
“Everybody called me crazy,” he said.
Scanning the office in amazement, Johnson then found the Kentucky head coach’s collection of rings — 2012 national championship, SEC regular season and conference tournament titles, all of it.
“Give me a ring, Coach!” the SDSU transfer yelled.
You’re going to have to win one of your own next season in Lexington.
Johnson is currently deciding between five finalists in Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and USC, with both groups of Wildcats considered the overwhelming favorites down the stretch. He’s coming off a trip to Tucson, with a decision expected shortly after his visit to Lexington wraps up.
A defensive specialist, Johnson averaged 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds on 53.2 percent shooting this past season at San Diego State, starting every game for the Aztecs, who made it all the way to the national title game before falling to the ultimate champion UConn Huskies. He racked up 71 total starts across 71 games in his junior and senior campaigns, averaging 23.8 minutes per game in the former and 22.2 minutes in the latter.
Will he be bringing that postseason success with him to Kentucky for his final year of eligibility? Things are clearly going well on his final visit.
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