Cam'Ron Fletcher called coach John Calipari Wednesday. (SEC Photo)
John Calipari said he did not “want to hurt any kid” but he had no choice but to comment publicly after he had to send freshman Cam’Ron Fletcher home Sunday. The Kentucky coach said it would be obvious when Fletcher was not with the team something had happened and he “didn’t want to have someone address it not knowing exactly what it was.” That’s why he posted comments he did on Twitter about asking Fletcher to “step away” from the team a day after UK’s loss to North Carolina.
Calipari has laid out what Fletcher must be able to do to rejoin the team and said the player called him several times Wednesday before they were able to connect Wednesday night.
“We had a great conversation. His high school coach called, his mother called. They are all onboard and think this is the best thing for him,” Calipari said. “What I heard last night was, ‘I get it.'”
Calipari has still not been specific about exactly what Fletcher did but said it was not just one thing but apparently culminated with the freshman complaining at the end of the North Carolina loss that he should be playing more.
Calipari said Thursday he plans to meet with Fletcher, his mother and his high school coach to make sure everyone understands the expectations at Kentucky.
“I thought I made it clear in the recruiting process but maybe I didn’t,” the coach said.
Calipari explained that senior grad transfer Davion Mintz did something in practice that was not normal but the coach did not go “crazy” on him because he had not done or said anything before his “step out of himself moment” in practice. Apparently Fletcher had done several things this season to disrupt the team.
“Cam’s case is totally different than anyone else on here. Don’t judge your behavior based on someone else’s bad behavior,” Calipari said. “With him it was not the only thing and he knows. You don’t change and I have to let him go.”
Calipari still expects Fletcher to rejoin the team but did not say when.
“I think he will be back and we will have everyone around him thanking me,” Calipari said. “I think he will be better for this and now we understand certain things are non-negotiable here. You can’t act this way.”
