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John Calipari boasts Adu Thiero’s draft stock with telling comment

Arkansas coach John Calipari knows every trick in the book, and he's trying to use his leverage to give NBA-hopeful Adou Thiero a helping hand ahead of the NBA Draft.

Arkansas' John Calipari
© Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesArkansas' John Calipari

The NBA Draft is just around the corner. We’ll watch some of the most promising young players in the game walk their first steps as pros after successful stints in college basketball.

Unfortunately, that will also mean losing some of the best players on the team. But if someone who’s been used to that in the past, that’s definitely Coach John Calipari.

That’s why, in a recent appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” the Arkansas Razorbacks wanted to help NBA hopeful Adu Thiero by raving about one of his most impressive traits.

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John Calipari praises Adu Thiero’s toughness

“If you watch the NBA Playoffs, it is so rough, you better be built like Adou Thiero,” Calipari said. “If you’re not and you’re a younger player, you’re not playing in these playoffs. He is physically ready right now, and athletically, [he] hits his head on the rim right now. He’s got to heal, but I think he’s in pretty good shape.”

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero

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Of course, at the end of the day, all coaches will always look to hype up their guys and this isn’t the exception to that rule. Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue with Calipari’s assessment.

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Thiero has been a notorious riser in most big boards, and while there’s nothing as a ‘can’t-miss’ player in any NBA Draft, he’s certainly tough and physical enough to hold his own with NBA-caliber competition.

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