Cal’s Fantasy Alumni Weekend

This past Saturday I took part in the second annual John Calipari Fantasy Basketball Experience Pro Camp. I worked the camp last year as well; in fact, it was my first WBN post. For a mere $7,000-$10,000 these guys get to live the life of a Kentucky basketball player for a weekend and man do they get the treatment.

The campers (one of which was Jason Taylor) get full access to the UK basketball facilities, training staff and coaches. They had this year’s squad as managers and former NBA coaches and current NBA players as coaches. They watched film, had practice and eventually a tournament ending in Rupp arena. They had dinner at Winstar Farms and Cal’s house and lunch in the Wildcat Lodge. They got gifts like autographed pictures with the 8 trophies and balls, and second year campers got a piece of the championship court signed by Cal himself. Jay Bilas and Del Harris were also around all weekend and said that Kentucky was “definitely a national championship contender” this season. Bilas also said that Self and Crean also do Fantasy camps but no one does it quite like the BBN.

Taylor playing at the fantasy camp

On Sunday the former players started to arrive and I was seeing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Davis, DeAndre Liggins, Demarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Terrence Jones around quite a bit. The current team had a pick up game against the pros and UK athletics won’t let us report on it, but I can tell you we look GOOD. Especially considering organized practice hasn’t started yet. Team chemistry definitely will not be an issue this season.

Another highlight was the fact that I got to watch the alumni game directly behind Team Blue’s bench this season. My only complaint is that a certain flat top blocked my view sometimes.

Last year’s alumni game was cool, don’t get me wrong, but this years was GREAT. Such an entertaining game to watch and the guys really put on a show. Even though it didn’t turn out to be the 2010 vs. 2012 team game it was originally pegged to be, it was really fun to watch. Blue team won the alumni game 111-95. Blue was John Wall, Ramon Harris, DeAndre Liggins, Patrick Patterson, Josh Harrellson, Perry Stevenson and Jared Prickett with Demarcus Cousins (who couldn’t play due to contract negotiations). Eric Bledsoe (also in negotiations), Joe Crawford and Nerlens were also on the blue bench. White included Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Michael Kid-Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and Randolph Morris. Kenny Walker, Mark Krebs and a few others also played in a game versus the campers. Wall posted a triple-double and 40 points and Brandon Knight led the white squad with 30 points.

Personally, I really missed hearing them say “Basket by WALL!” and “Basket by KIDD-GILCHRIST!”. I also thouroughly enjoyed Cousins yelling to Patterson every time he messed up in any form “MAN WE GOT A SEASON COMING UP!” The Knight/Wall matchup was everything I hoped it would be and seeing AD and MKG reunited on the court was glorious as well.

The camp also raised over $1 million for 17 various charities.

Also on campus over the weekend were top recruits Jahlil Okafor, Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis. The whole alumni game experience is GENIUS for recruiting. The BBN was in full force after the football win on Saturday and Calipari was parading nearly $200 million in NBA contracts around in Rupp with people like Jay Bilas and Jason Taylor walking around, the current team hanging out being praised by fans and the NBA players returning “home” playing in what some would consider an NBA scrimmage (with NBA refs included)- all in front of a crowd of nearly 20,000. Since leaving yesterday many are reporting that Ulis could make a decision as early as next week.

All in all it was a great, basketball filled weekend that has me more pumped up for BBM than I think I have ever been. I also got a look in the new locker room finally. Prepare yourselves for basketball, y’all- its about to be one heck of a ride.

But here’s the really cool alumni intro video to hold you over. And happy Louisville Hate/Rivalry week!