By John Calipari – May 3, 2011

Thanks to all of you who have been asking how the Kentucky Combine went over these past two days at the Joe Craft Center. I will plan on sharing more with you in the near future but for now I want everyone to know how pleased I was with how things went.

From all indications the Combine was a huge success. Our players – Josh Harrellson, Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and DeAndre Liggins – all got the information they needed to make the most educated decision for them and their families. From the on-court evaluations to the one-on-one interviews, our Wildcats were able to hear directly from the NBA personnel themselves.

The feedback from those NBA people in attendance was more than positive and we wound up with two-thirds of the NBA teams sending representatives – and they sent decision makers with 10 general managers, 4 assistant GMs  and 10 player personnel directors in attendance. In all there were about 30 NBA folks at each day’s session, with the larger crowd on Day Two.

Our goal for this unique event was to be able to give our student-athletes the best possible information they could obtain and receive it directly from the people who will be making the decisions. I’m happy to say we accomplished that and more. I couldn’t be more pleased with how the first Kentucky Combine turned out.

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Earlier today, my former point guard at the Univeristy of Memphis, Derrick Rose, was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. He is the youngest MVP ever in the NBA and the third youngest in America’s four major professional sports (EDITOR’S NOTE: Wayne Gretzky in the NHL and Vida Blue in MLB were younger).

The way he handled himself in the interview (upon receiving the honor) was as impressive as anything he’s done on the court. As he admitted, he’s a true “momma’s boy’ and he’s also a true gentlemen, and a truly humble player who would rather defer to his teammates which is a big part of what makes him the MVP.

But to be the youngest MVP in the NBA’s history?  That makes it even more astounding.

And I thought we won at Memphis because of me!!!

Congratulations DRose, I’m proud of you and love you.

-RTL-