John Calipari shoots down rumor

ByABC News
April 8, 2014, 11:32 AM

— -- John Calipari says his immediate future will remain at Kentucky, not in the NBA.

After Monday's night's 60-54 loss to Connecticut in the national championship game, Calipari denied a rumor that he was headed to the NBA.

"No. I'm right [here] at Kentucky," Calipari told ESPN's Jeannine Edwards. "I got the best job. I've got a good group of kids. Love what I'm doing. Speculation? That's there every year I coach."

Rumors began to circulate prior to Monday's title game when former Kentucky great and Wildcats TV color commentator Rex Chapman tweeted that Calipari would be the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Was messin' 'round on Sat nite re: Cal. But word is - win or lose 2nite - it's a #DoneDeal ...Cal 2 La-La-Land 2 coach Mamba's Lakers. #NoBS

- Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) April 7, 2014

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak also told the Los Angeles Times the Calipari rumor was "untrue."

Calipari, who on Monday night came up just short of winning his second title with the Wildcats, told Edwards there is no doubt he'll be back at Kentucky next season.

"Absolutely. Well, you know, there's all kinds of things that could happen to me -- I'm going to get my hip replaced. But short of that," he said.

Calipari, 55, already has had one unsuccessful foray into the NBA, coaching the Nets to a 72-112 record from 1996 to '99. He returned to the collegiate ranks in 2000 at Memphis, and he has been at Kentucky since 2009. His Final Four appearances with Massachusetts (1996) and Memphis (2008) were vacated due to NCAA violations.

Chapman joined \"The Dan Patrick Show\" on Tuesday to clarify his remarks, saying he now believes Calipari is likely to stay with the Wildcats. He also said Calipari could be bargaining to get more money from Kentucky.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak also told the Los Angeles Times the Calipari rumor was \"untrue.\"

Calipari, who on Monday night came up just short of winning his second title with the Wildcats, told Edwards there is no doubt he'll be back at Kentucky next season.

\"Absolutely. Well, you know, there's all kinds of things that could happen to me -- I'm going to get my hip replaced. But short of that,\" he said.

Calipari, 55, already has had one unsuccessful foray into the NBA, coaching the Nets to a 72-112 record from 1996 to '99. He returned to the collegiate ranks in 2000 at Memphis, and he has been at Kentucky since 2009. His Final Four appearances with Massachusetts (1996) and Memphis (2008) were vacated due to NCAA violations.

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