Calipari on Kentucky's Six Seniors: 'My Guess is They Will All Leave.'
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kentucky having roster turnover is nothing new. The one-and-done kickstarter coach John Calipari has made a living off of wiping the slate clean and bringing in a new crop of talent to try and take the Wildcats to the top.
That was much different this season, as UK's Senior Night on March 1 featured the celebration of a whopping six seniors, the most ever in the Calipari era. Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin, CJ Fredrick, Sahvir Wheeler, Antonio Reeves and Brennan Canada all carry an extra year of eligibility, but will they use it?
When asked after Kentucky's 75-69 loss to Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on Sunday, Calipari seemed to think that it was the end of the road for all six:
“My guess is they will all leave," he told reporters. "That’s my guess, but I have not talked to them all. I think you start winding down this COVID stuff where that’s your extra year, but these kids have accomplished a lot. We’ll sit down. Now’s not the time. I hugged them all after the game, told them I loved them and appreciated everything they’ve done. But those conversations will be for a little later date.”
The end of the season led to tears and a somber mood in the locker room for the Wildcats, specifically the seniors, who knew that they may have played their final game in blue and white.
More on the scene inside the locker room HERE.
Though the frustration and pain of the loss in Greensboro was fresh, four of the seniors spoke about the future, though no one gave a concrete answer on whether or not they would return for their extra year of eligibility.
"I have no clue. When that time comes that time will come," Toppin said about making a decision. I really haven't thought about that. We just lost a basketball game, our season's over. So, I really haven't thought about that."
Toppin fouled out against K-State, scoring just two points to go with four rebounds and three assists. He had scored over 15 points in four of his last six games in the lead-up to Sunday, finally coming into the form that could see him land in the NBA draft. He had nine double-doubles this season.
Reeves gave a more optimistic response when asked about his decision timetable:
"I don't know what i'm gonna do. I'll just sit down with my family and with coach to figure out what i'm gonna do next," Reeves said. "I'd love to be back. I love the school. I love the fans. I love everybody here."
It was a day to forget for the sharpshooter, as he went 1-15 from the floor, compiling only five points, three rebounds and two assists in the heartbreaking loss. He had eclipsed 20 points in four of his last five games, including a team-high 22 points in UK's Round of 64 win over Providence on Friday.
A melancholy Tshiebwe hadn't given a return for a third year or an exit from Lexington any sort of thought as of Sunday evening:
"I don't know about that. I got to go back and just -- I don't know," he said, shaking his head.
The 2021-22 unanimous National Player of the Year didn't find the same kind of dominance in his second season with UK, but that didn't stop him from being named a consensus Second-Team All-American. In the win over the Friars of Friday, Tshiebwe had 25 rebounds, setting the single-game postseason program record.
If his career as a Wildcat is over, it will still finish as one of the most decorated of all time, surely earning an eventual jersey retirement in the rafters of Rupp Arena.
Fredrick seemed to already be battling with the decision, as he fought through tears to talk about his career and future.
"It's been a long five years," he said. "It's been an unbelievable ride for me ... so that's really where i'm at right now, I don't know where i'm gonna be next, but I truly am grateful for the experiences that I've had and I love the guys in this locker room."
The shooting guard hit one 3-pointer while playing 20 more minutes with a cracked rib. Fredrick battled through injuries all season and was never truly able to find a groove as the year trekked on.
Wheeler remained out of action due to injury and was not available for press, while the former walk-on Canada has not announced a decision, though it is expected that he will move on.
Freshman point guard Cason Wallace is projected as a lottery pick in the NBA draft, while fellow freshman Chris Livingston could also try and make the leap as a one-and-done. Neither one made any commitment to a return or exit from UK.
Wallace upped his draft stock with a 21-point, nine-rebound outing in the loss to K-State, while Livingston scored 11 points and had seven boards in 38 minutes.
Kentucky is welcoming in the seventh No. 1 recruiting class in the Calipari era next season in the form of 5-star combo guard DJ Wagner, center Aaron Bradshaw, small forward Justin Edwards, point guard Rob Dillingham and 4-star CG Reed Sheppard.
The transfer portal is of course around, so the entry and exit of anyone with eligibility is also possible. Time will tell when it comes to Kentucky basketball's 2023-24 roster.
More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.
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