When $45M worth John Calipari reflected on two major prospects he missed out on: "I'm having a brain lock as they get older"

Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari is known in the college basketball world as one of the best recruiters. In his first season with the Razorbacks, he recruited Boogie Fland and DJ Wagner to this 2024-2025 squad despite the former already pledging his commitment while the latter transferred from Calipari's former team, the Kentucky Wildcats.

In an interview with sports analyst Colin Cowherd on "The Herd" in December 2015, Calipari was asked about his trait when it comes to pinpoint recruiting. The tenured tactician admitted that he has missed out on great players, reflecting on two major prospects who churned out successful NBA careers.

"I'm having a brain lock as they get older. In Charlotte, the guard that went to Connecticut, I watched Kemba Walker, I watched him play in high school, and I said he's not big enough for me, and I'm not sure how good he is. And then he beats us early in the year, and he beat us in the Final Four game, 57-56, but he had like, 30 himself. So, I missed there," Calipari admitted. (0:26)

"You know, the other one I missed on: Dirk Nowitzki. I went over, I was the coach and president, or whatever I was with the Nets, whether I was supposed to be the president, whatever I was supposed to be. And I went over to watch him, and I said, he's really good, but I'm, you know, I got to see him more, and I wasn't totally sold. So, I've missed, I've missed," he concluded.

Nowitzki became one of the greatest international NBA players of all time, leading the Dallas Mavericks to its lone championship in 2011 along with taking home the Finals MVP honors. Meanwhile, Walker was a four-time All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets, ultimately being named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2019.

Calipari is looking to retool his squad this offseason and is looking to use his talent for recruiting. The Razorbacks finished the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 22-14, 8-10 during SEC play earlier this year.

John Calipari defended his NBA star alum Derrick Rose to Colin Cowherd

Later on in the interview with Colin Cowherd on "The Herd," the discussion turned towards the 2010-2011 NBA regular season MVP Derrick Rose, who John Calipari coached from 2007 to 2008 with the Memphis Tigers.

Cowherd was calling out Rose for his injury history then, which prompted Calipari to defend his star product.

"When you're an athlete like Derrick Rose, it's really important that you're healthy. He's beating you with speed, with explosiveness, and if I'm the Bulls, I don't want him at 70 percent, you got to get him to a hundred. But, it was a freak hit to his eye. Come on. Let me say this, they're going to win because of Derrick Rose. You watch," (0:30)

Rose went on to have a lengthy 16-year NBA career, becoming a three-time All-Star and a 2011 First Team All-NBA selection. In September 2024, he announced his retirement from the NBA through a heartfelt video on his Instagram.