As NBA Draft Approaches, Calipari Not Worried About Harrison Twins

Aaron Harrison is not projected to get chosen in next week’s NBA Draft according to DraftExpess.com, but John Calipari is as loyal as ever.

“I’m not worried,” the Kentucky coach said Thursday on a conference call. “I think he’ll be drafted. And let me say this: I’ll go even further; I think he’ll be in the league for a while. And I believe that because of his ability to play multiple positions. He’s not locked into any position. (At) 6-6 and his size, everyone knows that this kid makes game-winning shots. There’s not a whole lot in the league like that let alone a guy in the draft like that. So I think he’s going to be fine. I think, again, and I’ve said this, I told both he and Andrew that we’ve got to finish this off because if we don’t, you’re going to get the undue criticism. It’s not fair, it’s not right. I’m just telling you. And it happened.”

While Aaron’s stock fell due to a poor NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and an unimpressive season, Andrew Harrison helped himself at the Combine. He is now projected at No. 42 to the Utah Jazz by DraftExpress.com.

“I’ll say this again: Andrew has played well in these things,” Calipari said. “I’m getting calls. You’re talking in that late first, maybe early second. But I think he’s going to bounce into that early first because everybody is like, ‘We’re not getting this (criticism of him). He’s this big, he’s this athletic, he’s this skilled. Left and right hand. There’s something missing here.’

“With Aaron, just so you know, where he’s projected, most guys are worrying about their one pick right now so they’re not zeroed in on as much as, ‘OK, who are we taking at 35 to 45.’ So I haven’t talked to many of those guys yet. They’re more concerned with the guys in front of them.”