From the CJ:
These are quotes he made to all media.
"I would guess five would be the minimum" leaving "but seven is a distinct possibility."
He went on to say that junior Willie Cauley-Stein, sophomores Andrew and Aaron Harrison and freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles are likely gone, while sophomore Dakari Johnson and freshman Devin Booker are also weighing their options.
"There's not going to be any brainwashing, forcing, pushing either in or out. I want each kid to make a decision for themselves," Calipari said. "I did tell a couple of the kids that it's a man's league; it's not a child's league. If you're not ready for a man's league, you need to come back."
Booker, projected to go 17th overall by DraftExpress and rated 19th by ESPN, will weigh whether another year - likely as a starter instead of a reserve like this season - can vault him even higher. The same is true of the 7-foot Johnson, rated 38th and 39thby the two sites. But those aren't gospel.
What if Dakari's the 25th pick of the draft? I'm not going to say, 'You should stay,' " Calipari said. "See, the worst thing for me is to be in that position and try to influence a kid because of what's right for me. Now, if something happens to that young man - his stock drops, he gets hurt - if something happens and I influenced him, how do you live with yourself?"
He does expect freshman point guard Tyler Ulis back, along with the 6-8 Poythress and 6-9 Marcus Lee, also both former burger boys. Calipari said he texted Ulis on Sunday to say: "I'm going to build a team. Get your guys and let's do this again. Let's rerun this."
"I'm going to explore for Alex. My guess is the injury will probably influence him to come back. But, you know, if someone says they'll take him 15th or 16th in the draft, then that may change," Calipari said. "But I've got to do the homework for him and make sure his family talks to the NBA, too. I don't want me to be in the middle. I'm just gathering information. At the end of the day, you need to talk to them and make sure what we're seeing and reading is right."
In addition to NBA decisions, Calipari said he doesn't foresee any transfers, meaning little-used sophomores Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis aren't likely going anywhere and could see expanded roles next season............................................
Calipari: Five to seven Cats likely gone to NBA
These are quotes he made to all media.
"I would guess five would be the minimum" leaving "but seven is a distinct possibility."
He went on to say that junior Willie Cauley-Stein, sophomores Andrew and Aaron Harrison and freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles are likely gone, while sophomore Dakari Johnson and freshman Devin Booker are also weighing their options.
"There's not going to be any brainwashing, forcing, pushing either in or out. I want each kid to make a decision for themselves," Calipari said. "I did tell a couple of the kids that it's a man's league; it's not a child's league. If you're not ready for a man's league, you need to come back."
Booker, projected to go 17th overall by DraftExpress and rated 19th by ESPN, will weigh whether another year - likely as a starter instead of a reserve like this season - can vault him even higher. The same is true of the 7-foot Johnson, rated 38th and 39thby the two sites. But those aren't gospel.
What if Dakari's the 25th pick of the draft? I'm not going to say, 'You should stay,' " Calipari said. "See, the worst thing for me is to be in that position and try to influence a kid because of what's right for me. Now, if something happens to that young man - his stock drops, he gets hurt - if something happens and I influenced him, how do you live with yourself?"
He does expect freshman point guard Tyler Ulis back, along with the 6-8 Poythress and 6-9 Marcus Lee, also both former burger boys. Calipari said he texted Ulis on Sunday to say: "I'm going to build a team. Get your guys and let's do this again. Let's rerun this."
"I'm going to explore for Alex. My guess is the injury will probably influence him to come back. But, you know, if someone says they'll take him 15th or 16th in the draft, then that may change," Calipari said. "But I've got to do the homework for him and make sure his family talks to the NBA, too. I don't want me to be in the middle. I'm just gathering information. At the end of the day, you need to talk to them and make sure what we're seeing and reading is right."
In addition to NBA decisions, Calipari said he doesn't foresee any transfers, meaning little-used sophomores Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis aren't likely going anywhere and could see expanded roles next season............................................
Calipari: Five to seven Cats likely gone to NBA
