Has Calipari Ruined Kentucky's Image?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari is likable to some but despised by most. He has been a part of recruiting violations that have vacated his wins and tournament runs.


To me some have been questionable and others, not so much.

Despite that, Calipari has always been a favorable coach. He comes in, five-star recruits follow and 'bam' you have the production.

It's always great to post wins but is Calipari winning strategies beginning to hurt Kentucky's image?

Last season, just about everybody from his first recruiting class was drafted in the 2010 NBA draft--the first round I might add.

Why The Latest Accusations Against John Wall Is Nothing More Than Speculation

Everybody knows John Wall, and what he has done for Kentucky.

But after the season he had, Wall was selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards.

Now here comes speculation. With Allen Iverson career winding down, Reebok was definitely looking for a new face. 

So why not extend their offer to bring in the hottest young talent in Wall?

The current accusations are that Wall's former AAU coach negotiates the Reebok deal. Now the NCAA is poised to look at all Kentucky players’ connection with professional agents.

One word: Speculation! One Phrase: Yellow Journalism!

There are so many people out there that have been trying to dig deep and find the slightest mistakes UK has made since signing Coach Calipari.

However, linking Wall to this is a bit crazy.

Wall has been the model player since his days in high school. He is a smart kid, and has a great mindset. Out of all the players in college, Wall would be the last person linked to accusations like this.

Remember how LeBron James came onto the scene?

He was a hot commodity, and boom; speculation started flying about illegal benefits.

Now here comes a similar situation, but different player.

So, college basketball fans, sports fan, or just people in general; here is two things you must know.

• Coach Calipari has nothing to do with this

As soon as the speculations started flying around, everybody turned their heads to Coach Calipari rather than the player.

Last time I checked, it said the players were being investigated not Coach Calipari.

Just because he recruits players that have bad reputations--that happen to be pretty good players--doesn't mean the media has to attack him every time speculation starts. 

• It's nothing more than speculation

The Kentucky basketball has gone through a lot since hiring Coach Calipari.

There was the DeMarcus Cousins' trouble, Eric Bledsoe transcript, and now John Wall's Reebok deal.

None of that was proven up to this day. Until anything is proven, I believe fans need to give these Kentucky players a break.

Just because Coach Calipari reaches out to the five-star recruits that your team wants, doesn't mean he is cheating. He is simply a better recruiter and I think everybody hates him for that.

Until any of this is proven, it's nothing more than speculation.

(I want to know what you think. Is this speculation or does the Kentucky players really have something to hide? Let me know, send me an email at CollegiateHoops@gmail.com or simply reply below)

Written by DeAnte Mitchell