John Calipari has a way with connecting with players — he’s been that way since his days at UMass. Then Calipari convinced a Philly legend — Tyrone Weeks — to sign with UMass.
Calipari has been reeling them in ever since. He convinced a then Chicago legend — Derrick Rose — to embrace the Memphis Tigers.
The rest is history.
How did Calipari land Rose and so many others along the way?
Well according to Rose himself — Coach Cal wasn’t afraid to venture into the “hood.”
Derrick Rose on Calipari "First coach to ever come to my hood & sit down with my mom. Don't no if the rest were scared but he showed up"
— CourtCred (@courtcred) March 16, 2015
Rose doesn’t speak a lot, so that was the ultimate compliment. Sound similar to how the late — great – Dean Smith landed Rasheed Wallace.