John Calipari Believes 'A Couple Guys' Should Return Next Season

There is still a lot to be played for this season, but with such a beloved team, that isn’t stopping people from looking ahead to the player decisions that will be made at the end of the season. While most of those decisions have yet to be made, John Calipari believes he has some players that should return next season.

Talking with John Wall on his podcast, Point Game, John Calipari said, “I have a couple guys on this year’s team that could probably use another year.”

Talking about the NBA, using his acronym “no boys allowed”, Calipari explained two requirements. “There’s two things. Are you mentally ready? Are you physically ready?”

Calipari didn’t mention any names, but some names can be safely removed from consideration and some educated guesses can be made of who he is referring to.

Expected to Leave

Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves will be gone after this season after exhausting their eligibility, and Rob Dillingham is a Top 10 lock.

As much as folks don’t want to hear it, Reed Sheppard is unlikely to return, as his stock will never be higher, currently listed as a top-five prospect by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. That would grant him a $15-$20 million rookie contract, not including endorsements, multiple times more than we would earn at Kentucky in NIL.

That still leaves a lot of names

Likely to Leave/Stay

D.J. Wagner, currently projected as a late-first-round pick, already has a deal with Nike and NBA connections given his father. Calipari didn’t expect him for longer than a season.

Ugonna Onyenso entered the transfer portal last season and could do the same this season, if he does not remain in the draft. ” Jordan Burks could enter the NBA conversation next season, impressing scouts at Kentucky’s Pro Day back in October, but could also take a look at the transfer portal.

Adou Thiero could play his way into a first-round pick as a junior. Calipari said just last week, ” The things he’s got to tackle are all effort-based.”

The Hard Decisions

That leaves Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards, and Zvonimir Ivisic, whom I believe Calipari is referring to. All have shown potential this season, but have just been too inconsistent.

Edwards is the only one of the three still projected to be drafted in ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft from late February, going 51st to the Indiana Pacers. Recently, Calipari has praised him for the amount of work he has put in the gym, and mentally to turn around his season, but it may still be too late. Represented by Klutch, they may be able to get a draft promise, but I don’t foresee one in the first round. Given an improved mindset and play, with another season, he could play his way back into the lottery conversation. We saw a similar situation with Chris Livingston last season.

For Aaron Bradshaw and Zvonimir Ivisic, they have both really enjoyed their time at Kentucky despite facing hardships, and have actually leaned on one another. While neither planned to stay longer than a season, they are not physically ready for the NBA, with Calipari challenging their physicality multiple times this season. Kentucky does have two more bigs coming in Somto Cyril and Jayden Quaintance, but the competition in the NBA isn’t any lesser.

One thing to consider is that all three players would likely make more with NIL than they would as second-round draft picks. As pointed out by Givony, more teams are looking for more proven players in the second round, rather than taking risks on potential.

Until official announcements are made, it is all just speculation. Calipari says he supports his players, “whatever their decision is,” but he will ask those who can help themselves with an extra year, “Are you sure?”

There will be some players asked that question this offseason.