In a revealing statement that has stirred waves in both college and professional basketball circles, new Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari disclosed that Karl-Anthony Towns, one of his most successful former players at Kentucky, turned down the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2015 NBA Draft. At the same time, Calipari proudly announced a staggering financial milestone: players from his University of Kentucky tenure have collectively earned over $6 billion in NBA contracts and endorsements.
During a recent podcast appearance, Calipari shared that Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, explicitly told the Lakers not to draft him. According to Calipari, the Lakers, who held the No. 2 pick that year, were considering Towns but were discouraged by his preference to play elsewhere—specifically for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who ultimately selected him first overall.
“Karl told them, ‘Don’t take me. I want to go to Minnesota,’” Calipari said. “That’s how confident he was in his path. He knew where he wanted to be, and that shaped the top of that draft.”
Towns went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year and has become a multi-time All-Star, forming a dynamic frontcourt presence in Minnesota. His decision to avoid Los Angeles is now seen in a new light, with many wondering how the Lakers’ trajectory might have shifted had Towns been open to joining them.
Beyond draft stories, Calipari celebrated a more substantial achievement—$6 billion in total earnings by former Kentucky Wildcats players during and after his 15-year run in Lexington.
“That number is real,” Calipari said. “We’re not just talking about NBA salaries. We’re talking endorsements, contracts, second and third deals, and even international play. Kentucky has been the launchpad.”
Among those players are high earners like Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and of course, Towns. Calipari’s player-first model at Kentucky helped produce 47 NBA draft picks, including 32 first-rounders, which helped build the school’s reputation as a direct pipeline to the NBA.
The revelation comes just months after Calipari left Kentucky to take over at Arkansas, signaling a new era for both programs. While Razorback fans hope he can replicate his Kentucky magic in Fayetteville, his legacy in Lexington appears financially unmatched.
