Coach Cal told a few jokes.
New Arkansas men’s basketball head coach John Calipari teased the current state of the roster he will inherit. In case you didn’t know, there’s only one player entering next season.
“I’m in trouble for another time. I’m like, let’s go,” he began. “I just met with the team. There is no team. [Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek] I’m very confident, but we need to get our roster together. And some of it is just a small part of everything, but it does. It may take a little longer. ”
Calipari, who is leaving Kentucky after a 15-year career, faces a tough challenge ahead as he takes over the Razorbacks coaching job after Eric Musselman leaves to take over the head coaching job at the University of Southern California. .
Senior forward Lawson Blake is the only player on Arkansas’ roster for the 2023-24 season after adding nine seniors to the team.
Freshmen Bay Fall and Rayden Blocker and sophomore Keyon Menifield all entered the transfer portal.
Leading scorer, junior Tramon Mark, also entered the transfer portal this spring.
“We have a job to do. And let me tell you one thing, I’m not a guy with a magic wand,” Calipari told reporters about his roster-building strategy. Ta. According to Hoguebeat.
“That’s not me. I’m a grinder who comes in every day. If you look at my team from the beginning of the year to the end, you’ll say, ‘Wow, they got better.’ Individual players have improved. They can be a better team and put themselves in the best positions. ”
The school also formally introduced Mr. Calipari as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program Wednesday night in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Bud Walton Arena.
Billionaire chicken magnate John Tyson, a major booster in Arkansas, played a key role in attracting Calipari to Fayetteville and received a standing ovation during a news conference.
Under his coaching, Calipari led the Kentucky Wildcats to a 410-123 record and a national title in 2012.
