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The Kentucky Wildcats continue to wait on the NCAA to decide if Olivier Sarr can play next season.
On Tuesday, UK head coach John Calipari had a video call with reporters to discuss his team, which included an update on Sarr’s waiver.
“Olivier’s stuff has been in,” said Calipari of the waiver request. “We’re waiting to hear. We feel confident, but you never know until you hear it’s good to go. He’s got a great case.”
Calipari even said that while it seems like every transfer this year is getting immediate eligibility, the NCAA will take a harder look at Sarr’s because he’s so important to UK and such a high-profile case, like Enes Kanter in the 2010-11 season.
"They'll red-flag it because it's Kentucky and it's Olivier Sarr (a top player)," so they'll take more time to make sure they get it right. https://t.co/W7nxi4xXrS
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) July 14, 2020
As for the team overall, Calipari said all of his players are on campus and practicing. He wouldn’t reveal if anyone had contracted the COVID-19 virus, but since everyone is practicing, no one has it now.
It also helps they’re essentially in a bubble right now on campus, similar to what the NBA is doing in Florida as it restarts its season later this month.
“It’s a sterile bubble that’s as good as it gets anywhere,” he said.
Calipari also hopes the players are using this time to work hard and get some separation from the rest of college basketball.
Calipari says he's told the players "let's use this time to separate from everyone else" in how they work out and condition. And says they should be a great-shooting team "because that's all you can do right now."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) July 14, 2020
It’s good to know everyone is safe and healthy right now as they prepare for the upcoming season. If Sarr is eligible and everyone stays healthy, this team has everything it needs to make a deep NCAA Tournament run and reach the Final Four.
Let’s just hope there is a 2020-21 college hoops season.
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