DOM – All systems go! Calipari takes over Dominican Republic

LEXINGTON (FIBA Americas Championship) - Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari has announced he will lead the Dominican Republic this summer at the FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina.

Calipari, one of the biggest names in the American college game and a man who has NBA head coaching experience as well, recently revealed that the Dominicans had been in touch with him about leading the team and now he has agreed terms.

On his website, www.coachcal.com, the veteran coach said: “Just an update to let you know that I have formally accepted the head coaching position with the Dominican Republic’s national team. I am so excited to begin working with Southgate Sports, which operates all aspects of the team, as we prepare for FIBA’s upcoming tournament of the Americas.

"I have already spoken with several of the Dominican players in the NBA and Southgate will have more about those players’ participation in the coming weeks. We will hold a mini-camp here, in Lexington, at the beginning of August with some of the Dominican Republic’s emerging young stars, most of whom are already playing American college basketball, including our own (Kentucky Wildcat) Eloy Vargas. The mini-camp will precede the team’s official training camp which will include the veterans.

"We really hope the Big Blue Nation (Kentucky fans) will show the Dominican Republic the love and support you show our University. There will be an opportunity for fans to see the team in a planned exhibition game at Rupp Arena vs. former Cats and also my former players.

"The team will play another exhibition in the Dominican Republic before heading to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil for the Jenaro “Tuto” Marchand Continental Cup (August 24-26). From there, we will travel to Mar del Plata, Argentina for the FIBA Americas Championship for Men/Olympic Qualifying Tournament (August 30 – Sept. 11).

"Some of you may ask, ‘Why would you do this?’ and my answer is simple: Southgate is committed to re-energizing Dominican Republic basketball and building a solid grassroots program, much like we’ve been helping with in China. Beyond that, this will be a great learning experience for me to be able to coach against some of the best minds in international basketball. I know that being in the NBA helped me do a better job of preparing our young men to reach their dreams and this opportunity will do the same.

"I see no downside in this, especially knowing that I’m able to do a majority of the training here in Lexington at the state-of-the-art Joe Craft Center. We’re helping another nation spread the love of basketball and feel what the Big Blue Nation feels 12 months a year. We want to see basketball courts right next to all the baseball academies and build a consistent winner in the Dominican Republic.

"Can’t wait to get going. I’ll keep you posted on everything as we proceed. Go Big Blue and Go DR!"

The Dominican Republic have a lot of talent, including NBA players like Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, and have the potential to win a medal in Mar Del Plata and possibly reach the Final, which would qualify the team for next year’s London Olympics.

Rick Pitino, the coach of Kentucy’s instate rivals Louisville, had hoped to lead Puerto Rico this summer but complications stemming from NCAA rules led the country to decide to look for another coach.

FIBA