John Calipari Celebrates NBA All-Stars Despite Missing the Event

On Saturday night, the Arkansas Razorbacks secured an 88-75 victory against the Auburn Tigers, improving their season record to 19-6. Head coach John Calipari expressed his disappointment at missing the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles due to the late timing of the Razorbacks' game and an upcoming road match. Instead of attending, Calipari utilized social media to convey his support for current and former players connected to his programs.

Newsweek

In his message on X, Calipari highlighted the significance of the All-Star weekend, stating, “It’s a great weekend to celebrate the successes of our young men and the families who have trusted us with their sons.” He specifically mentioned Reed Sheppard, a Houston Rockets’ 2024 first-round pick, who participated in the Rising Stars Game, and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, who competed in the 3-Point Contest. Calipari congratulated the six All-Stars he has coached: Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Karl-Anthony Towns, De’Aaron Fox, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, acknowledging their achievements in the first half of the season.

Newsweek

Devin Booker, a 2015 first-round pick, earned his fifth All-Star selection this year, while Tyrese Maxey, a 2020 first-round pick, is making his second appearance. Jamal Murray, participating in his first All-Star game, has been a consistent presence since 2016. Karl-Anthony Towns is making his sixth appearance, and De’Aaron Fox is also participating for the second time. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not play due to an abdominal strain, marking his fourth consecutive absence from the All-Star festivities.

Newsweek

Calipari's message emphasized gratitude towards his players, stating, “Thank you for all that you have done for my programs and for all that you do to grow our game!” His acknowledgment of both current and former players reflects his ongoing commitment to their development and success.

Newsweek

• “Normally I would travel to the NBA All-Star weekend, but with our late game last night and a road game coming up, I am not going to make it to Los Angeles today,” — John Calipari, Head Coach, Arkansas Razorbacks

Newsweek

• “It’s a great weekend to celebrate the successes of our young men and the families who have trusted us with their sons.” — John Calipari

Newsweek

• “Congratulations to you all on the great first half of your season and I hope you and your families have enjoyed every second of your special weekend!” — John Calipari

Newsweek

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to begin at 5 PM ET, where the performances of the players Calipari mentioned will be showcased. As the season progresses, the impact of Calipari's coaching on these athletes will continue to be a point of interest in the basketball community.

Newsweek