Kentucky Basketball Headed to Toronto to Represent United States in International Event
During his call-in radio show on Monday night, Kentucky coach John Calipari hinted at a potential event that his 2023-24 team would take place in over the summer.
“I got a call about us possibly playing, being invited to play in an event in July,” he said. “That would be great for our team, should be coming out shortly if that’s the way this goes, which I believe it will."
Calipari didn't give anything else away, saying he didn't want to release any other details. Then assistant coach Chin Coleman came on to finish the radio show, and let the cat out of the bag, saying that the Wildcats were headed to Toronto:
“We have another trip and we’ll be into the games in Toronto that we’ll have."
Reports have since circulated that that event is the GLOBL JAM, which pits teams up against international competition. Kentucky is now set to represent the United States in Canada, doing what the Baylor Bears did a season ago.
Last season's event featured a men's and women's round-robin tournament. The men's side had nine games between four countries — Brazil, Canada, Italy, USA — that saw the Brazilians come out on top, defeating the USA-Baylor team. The event is recognized by the International Basketball Federation.
"We’ll have some summer play against good competition to figure out where we are. It’s a good start for us," Calipari said.
The event in 2022 took place from July 5-10. Big Blue Nation may not have to wait long to get a look at the next wave of freshmen that Calipari hopes will take the college basketball world by storm.
Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.
Following Kentucky's loss to Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, Calipari guessed that all six of his seniors from the 2022-23 team —Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin, CJ Fredrick, Sahvir Wheeler, Antonio Reeves and Brennan Canada — would leave.
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.
More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.
More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.
Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.
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