Kentucky coach John Calipari thought Malik Monk shouldn’t have lasted to the eleventh pick of June’s NBA draft.
However, who selected Monk – who will guide his future – couldn’t be more ideal to his college coach.
“I thought he should have gone earlier in the draft, but when I heard it was (the Hornets), I said, ‘Hallelujah, it’s perfect!’” Calipari told the Observer Wednesday.
By perfect, Calipari continued, it’s the right teammates (he noted point guard Kemba Walker), the right coaches and – particularly – an owner with the Hall of Fame gravitas to mentor a talented 19-year-old.