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Kentucky basketball: John Calipari calls out former five-star recruit Terrence Clarke

By Alicia de Artola

Nov 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard Terrence Clarke (5) in the second half against the Richmond Spiders at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard Terrence Clarke (5) in the second half against the Richmond Spiders at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari may be accusing former five-star recruit Terrence Clarke of not being tough enough as he returns from a lengthy injury.

The 2020-21 campaign for Kentucky basketball has been far from idyllic, and things are only getting testier for the 5-11 Wildcats.

After Wednesday night’s five-point loss to Missouri, head coach John Calipari essentially called out one of his most talented young stars.

Terrence Clarke has missed nine games with an ankle injury, and Calipari seems to have had it with waiting for him to be ready for a return.

Calipari had more to say on that front via 247Sports.

“I want to see the kid practice tomorrow and Friday to see if there’s any chance that he could play against Tennessee, so he didn’t need to be here,” Calipari said, explaining why Clarke was not at the game on Wednesday. “If he can’t practice without limping Thursday and Friday then he won’t play Saturday and we just keep him out and see where this thing goes. It comes to a point where you’re out 5-6 weeks, it means you’re just not capable. The pain is too much for you to play at all.”

There’s a fine line between challenging a player who needs a nudge and pushing a player to ignore their well-being for the sake of playing. Calipari is flirting with it.

John Calipari publicly challenged Terrence Clarke, for better or worse

Clarke, a 6-foot-7 guard, ranked No. 8 in the 247Sports composite when he came out of high school as part of Kentucky’s No. 1 recruiting class. He was supposed to partner with fellow five-star Brandon Boston Jr. to keep the Wildcats rolling this season. However, he’s only played in seven games while averaging 10.7 points per game.

Clarke may be protecting his body to preserve his draft stock, but that’s not something Calipari or anyone can know for certain. It’s a bold thing to imply publicly on the coach’s part. Whether or not that’s the case, the player’s future with Kentucky looks murkier than ever.

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