Kentucky Wildcats guard Shaedon Sharpe Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

John Calipari: Shaedon Sharpe won't play for Kentucky this season

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 2/7/22

Star freshman Shaedon Sharpe will not play for Kentucky this season, coach John Calipari said on Monday.

Calipari's announcement comes on the heels of many rumors Sharpe could play this spring before entering the 2022 NBA Draft. The London, Canada native graduated early from high school to join the Wildcats, but Calipari maintains the 6-foot-5 guard still needs to develop before playing.

"He is committed to bettering himself and our team in practice this year and being better prepared to lead us next season," Calipari said.

After talking with Shaedon and his parents, we want to end all of the speculation by again saying that he will not play for us this season.

He is committed to bettering himself and our team in practice this year and being better prepared to lead us next season.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 7, 2022

While Sharpe won't suit up this season, he does have a strong Wildcats team to learn from before becoming one of the squad's key players. Kentucky, which is ranked fifth in this week's AP poll, is 19-4 on the season and has won four straight tilts since falling 80-71 to No.1-ranked Auburn on Jan. 22.

Kentucky visits South Carolina on Tuesday. The Wildcats lead the all-time series against the Gamecocks 53-13 but are tied 2-2 over their last four matchups.

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