John Calipari Praises Adou Thiero’s Improvement, Hints At Return For Junior Season

Originally posted on KY Insider | By Phoenix Stevens | Last updated 3/1/24

All season long, Kentucky has dealt with various injuries, thus making it challenging for John Calipari to find consistency in his lineups. However, Adou Thiero has been someone Calipari has been able to lean on for his toughness on both sides of the floor.

In Starkville, Thiero scored 11 points on 5-9 (56%) shooting, making Tuesday’s game against Mississippi State his fifth double-digit outing of the season and fourth in the last six games. As we get closer and closer to March, Adou Thiero seems to just get better and better, but this is no surprise to Coach Cal.

On Wednesday’s edition of the John Calipari Show, the 15-year head coach told explained, “He’s the guy that likes to mix it up, but Adou, he’s done some good stuff. He’s gotten so much better.”

Calipari added, “You know, all the thing that’s in front of him, that he’s got to tackle are all effort-based. Getting into the gym… you know, the commitment. It’s all there for him. So, he’s gotten so much better.”

Calipari says Adou Thiero has gotten much better.

"Getting into the gym, spending time, and just the commitment."
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) February 28, 2024

Cal also notes that he expects Thiero to keep developing physically. “He’s not even what he was a year ago… I still think he’s going to be 6-9. He’s probably 6-7, maybe a little bit bigger now. By the time next year rolls around, he’ll be 6-9.”

You have to love Calipari’s appreciation for what Thiero was brought to Kentucky here late in the season, and by the sound of it, it seems like we may see a junior Adou Thiero back in Lexington next season.

This article first appeared on KY Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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