Julius Randle impressed with John Calipari’s National Championship swag

During yesterday’s five state recruiting tour, John Calipari paid a visit to the number one recruit in 2013, Julius Randle, and something caught Randle’s eyes: Calipari’s NCAA championship ring. USA Today is acting as a “fly on the wall” for Randle’s in home visits this week and noted Randle’s and his mother Carolyn Kyle’s reaction:

 

“He was rocking that championship ring,” Randle said. “It was nice! Real nice.”

Kyles joked that she noticed that Calipari used a substantial amount of hand motions to accentuate the bling he and the Wildcats won in April.

“You couldn’t help but notice all those diamonds,” Kyles said. “It was just blinding. That thing was impressive. And it’s something that they just won so it was nice and shiny.”

 

USA Today also wondered aloud what Coach K may bring to his visit:

 

That begs the question: Will Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski whip out one of his player’s gold medals that he led them to last month coaching Team USA in the Olympics when he visits Randle and Kyles Tuesday?

 

Really USA Today? You going to make Duke and bling jokes after the whole Lance Thomas situation? Yea, I know. It’s funny because nothing will ever happen.

 

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/JeffRabjohns/status/245310300507750400"]

 

 

Add Kentucky  to the list of offers to 2014′s Trey Lyles.  Lyles was one on Calipari’s stop yesterday and was a popular stop among other coaches.  Reportedly Duke, Georgetown,  and Stanford offered Lyles yesterday.  Lyles is a 6’8 PF and is currently ranked 8th in the 2014 class.

 

Saturday is Kentucky’s Alumni basketball game for charity and you can tell that Calipari really wants to make this an annual tradition in the Bluegrass:

 

This game is a unique opportunity to show the world that you can only pull off this type of event at Kentucky. We want to be able to do this event every year because it gives us an opportunity to bring back former players and their families and let them truly feel a part of our family again. More than anything, it gives us a chance to give back to the community as all of the proceeds will go to charity.

 

If you read between the lines, this is also a chance for a huge recruiting event and could be another destination stop like Big Blue Madness.  But of course, you have to buy tickets to be there:

 

Keep in mind that we may have some other special people visiting that weekend who will want to see what the Big Blue Nation is capable of. We want to continue to show them that you can only do things like this at this level at Kentucky.

But we can’t do any of that without your help. We need people to buy these tickets. If you want to help but can’t come, buy a couple tickets and give them away to someone who can’t afford it. Give them to your neighbor or someone at work. Let’s just make sure we show up in full force.

You’ve never let me down before, Big Blue Nation, so let’s once again come together and show everyone what sets us apart from the pack.

 

So if you are looking at saving money on the game, go to ticketmaster and use the code TWENTY to get lower arena tickets for just $20.  And then head over to the football game.