Kentucky's John Calipari to receive Legends of Coaching Award
Kentucky head coach John Calipari talks to his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbil, Feb. 11, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Calipari will receive the John R. Wooden Award Legends of Coaching award, according to an announcement by Wooden's grandson, Greg Wooden, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Credit: AP/Mark Zaleski
LOS ANGELES — John Calipari of Kentucky will receive the John R. Wooden Award Legends of Coaching honor.
Greg Wooden, grandson of the late UCLA coach, announced his selection Tuesday.
The honorees are chosen based on character, on-court success, graduation rate of players in their program and coaching philosophy. The award will be presented in April at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Calipari led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012. He guided the program to four Final Four appearances in a five-year span, with Wooden and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski the only other men’s coaches to accomplish that feat.
Calipari was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015. He has coached three Wooden Award winners, including Oscar Tshiebwe in 2022.
Off the court, Calipari has his own foundation and has worked with the American Red Cross to raise money to help people affected by disasters.
Previous winners of the award include South Carolina's Dawn Staley, Bill Self of Kansas, Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Pat Summitt of Tennessee and Denny Crum of Louisville.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari, lower left, and his wife Ellen watch the NCAA Tournament selection show with members of the team and staff at the Calipari home in Lexington, Ky., March 12, 2023. Calipari will receive the John R. Wooden Award Legends of Coaching award, according to an announcement by Wooden's grandson, Greg Wooden, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Credit: AP/James Crisp
