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Writer's pictureWayne Gregoire

He's At It Again: John Calipari Is The Best Recruiter In College Basketball

John Calipari, Arkansas, Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff

13 years ago, the Kentucky Wilcats brought in one of the best recruiting classes in college basketball history. Four of ESPN's top 25 recruits signed to play a Rupp Arena, and the reason was John Calipari. The nations best recruiter landed the top high school prospect in Anthony Davis, the number four recruit, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest, the number eight recruit, Marquise Teague, and the number 19 recruit, Kyle Wiltjer.


That squad went 38-2 (16-0 in the SEC), and won the national championship. The following year, Calipari brought in five more players in the top 50, and the year after that, he brought in six of the top 25, including five of the top-10. Coach Cal is now pacing the sidelines in Fayetteville, as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.


The man who is affectionately, and no so affectionately referred to, as the king of one-and-done, is making a huge splash in the 2025 recruiting waters. The season is barely under way, and he has already landed Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff, the 8th and 9th ranked prospects in the country. He's also linked to number five recruit Caleb Wilson and number seven prospect Chris Cenac.


John Calipari Lands Darius Acuff

Acuff was the first to sign with Calipari, and is a 6'2 point guard from IMG Academy in Florida. He was the 2022-23 MaxPreps Michigan High School Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore. He led Detroit Cass Tech to it's first ever Division 1 State Title, averaging 21.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. Last year he led the Nike EYBL in scoring (20.4ppg), and won a gold medal for USA, in the U18 America's Championship.


John Calipari Lands Meleek Thomas

Thomas is a 6-4 guard, listed as a point guard, but can play off the ball. He plays for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, GA. He was second team Junior All-American from MaxPreps, along with Acuff. He led Lincoln Park (PA) to a 4A State Championship, he finished the season averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. He and Acuff should make a lethal 1-2 combination.



Who Is Next For John Calipari?

Arkansas is one of the top programs in the running for Caleb Wilson and Chris Cenac, and they haven't been counted out yet, in regards to AJ Dybantsa, the top high school player in the country. This is looking eerily similar to his Kentucky days, and it's possible Arkansas could see the team make a national title run next season.


Though coach Cal is considered a villain by those who oppose the one-and-done rule, and slimy by his competitors, his players consider him warm and honest. He's a straight shooter, and in a world of used car salesmen pitching their college, getting a little honesty from a hall of fame coach, is a breath of fresh air.







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