CBK Roundup: Calipari won't be leaving Kentucky, Sullinger to enter NBA draft
Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wednesday won't be leaving the Wildcats any time soon, ending any rumors that he could return to the NBA.
"Kentucky is the best job in basketball coaching," Calipari told ESPN.com. "Why would I leave? We just won the national title. We're chasing UCLA."
Kentucky beat Kansas on Monday night to earn the school's eighth national men's basketball titles, three short of UCLA's all-time record of 11.
No NBA team reached out about an opening, said Calipari, who coached the New Jersey Nets for three years after leading the University of Massachusetts to the Final Four in 1996. The Nets fired him 20 games into his third season, in 1998-99.
"All of those teams know I'm not doing anything," Calipari said. "I'm not changing. I'm going to continue to see my friends who coach in the NBA and see my former players who play in the NBA. I'm going to continue to go to games."
In Calipari's three seasons at Kentucky, the Wildcats have advanced to two Final Fours and three Elite Eights. His record at the school is 102-14. He originally signed an eight-year contract, but he received a new eight-year deal worth $36.5 million in 2011.
---Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger will enter the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-9 sophomore made the announcement at a Wednesday news conference at Value City Arena, on the Ohio State campus.
Sullinger averaged 17.5 points and 9.3 rebounds a game in 2011-12, helping the Buckeyes reached the Final Four, where they lost to eventual national runner-up Kansas.
Sullinger shot 52 percent from the field, 77 percent at the line and 40 percent on 3-pointers in 2011-12 in leading the Buckeyes to a 31-8 record.
The two-time AP All-America selection is expected to be among the top picks in the NBA draft.
---Redshirt freshman guard Isaiah Epps is leaving the University of Pittsburgh for family-related reasons, coach Jamie Dixon announced.
Epps was released from his scholarship and is expected to transfer to a college closer to his home in Plainfield, N.J., the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
Epps, who played in 19 games last season, is the second player to leave Pitt recently. Freshman Khem Birch is transferring to UNLV.
