Kentucky's trip to London to play Michigan next season is John Calipari's way to say thank you, the UK coach said Thursday.
"He took Bam under his wing," Calipari said of first-year Michigan Coach Juwan Howard working with Bam Adebayo when the former UK player was a rookie with the Miami Heat.
"And look what he's doing now," Calipari said of Adebayo as a rising star in the NBA. "Got a chance to be Defensive Player of the Year. Got a chance for an All-Star (team). I mean, it's crazy."
Calipari said he called Howard to say thanks and offer any help once Michigan announced the hiring this year.
"I said, 'You took care of one of mine," Calipari said. "'If I can help you ... '"
The UK coach smiled as he playfully added, "I didn't know they'd be this good. So that's where it started."
Michigan is No. 4 in The Associated Press Top 25 basketball poll this week. Kentucky will play the Wolverines in London's O2 Arena in December of 2020. The date, game time, television partner and ticket information will be announced in January, UK said.
The agreement also calls for Kentucky to play at Michigan on Dec. 4, 2021, and for Michigan to play at Kentucky on Dec. 3, 2022.
In explaining how the deal came about, Calipari suggested it showed his gratitude for how Howard, then an assistant coach with the Heat, worked with Adebayo.
"We can talk scheduling," Calipari said he told Howard. "And that's something I don't do lightly. With you, I will."
The game in London will serve as a fundraiser for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, UK said in a news release. It will be the first Division I college basketball game played in London's O2 Arena.
