John Calipari Quotes

College baseball, I love it. I love to work with the younger kids who are trying to live out their dreams, if in fact that's what they plan on doing after college to take the next step.

If they're out of high school, and they can go directly to the NBA and get drafted and get millions of dollars, I'm for it 100 percent. Just let's not devalue education. Let's just not devalue it.

Guys are coming into the league a little more mature when they take the three or four years in college.

When I first went to Stevens Point, I never thought I'd ever be close to the NBA. I didn't even think about the NBA. The big start for me was making it to the final cut for the Olympic team, and I was the only one who was going to be back for my senior year of college.

When should a college athlete turn pro? Not until he has earned all he can in college as an amateur.

Until my senior year, baseball and basketball were my best sports; and even when I was a senior, I still wanted to play baseball professionally. But the family wanted me to go to college, and I guess I agreed with them, or else I would have accepted some of the offers I got.

I call it, 'The Kentucky Effect.' Guys from Kentucky are usually drafted higher, and their shoe contracts are worth more. They're in more demand overall because they played here.

Strong college basketball is great for the NBA.

The N.F.L.'s rule on underclassmen should be abolished, and the N.B.A. should be discouraged from adding an age limit.

What is the NCAA going to do a program if a kid leaves before two years. You can't control it. The NBA is the one that has to control it.

Every time you make a jump, whether it's from high school to college or college to the NBA, you're going to hear questions about your athletic ability.

My high school class was the first one to know, during the college recruiting process, to know there was the option to play professional basketball, to know that the WNBA was there, and to know I better pick a school that is going to help me get to the next level.

Don't worry too much on pathways programs: good players find a way to get through to play for their country.

I went to a lot of college camps when I was younger... You just admire those players because they're at a higher level than you at that time.

Good, young players don't compete in China or in Asia.

Ever since I was a young kid, I've been playing for an academy with scouts all over the world that are looking for top players to come in.

It's a parent's dream come true to watch your sons play at the highest level of college basketball.

If I'd gone straight to the NBA, I don't think I would have been ready as a player or a person.

Get your education. The number of guys who are blessed to be in the league is so small compared to the number of high school players [who want to play in the league]. But one thing you can do is get your college education. If you are blessed enough to get a scholarship to play college basketball, make sure you get your college degree, too, then move on from there.

My overall point is that 'one and dones' are not healthy for college basketball. I should not have made it personal to Kentucky and its players and I apologize.

I think American fans, they know more college guys than guys overseas.

I can play three positions - five in college - but realistically three in the NBA.

I played football the whole time I was growing up, and through two years of college. I think it's a beautiful game in many respects, one that allows you to follow a player from boyhood through manhood.

I am absolutely happy to train Real Madrid. I have a wonderful challenge.

The opportunity to play for Duke University is great, and that's the reason I chose the school.