Calipari: Supporters of expanded NBA draft 'trying to ruin college basketball'

The college basketball coach best known for getting his players to the NBA doesn't agree with the idea of expanding the pro draft.

"If anybody supports more rounds in the draft, those more rounds are to get kids to go to the G League," Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "You do not care about college basketball or you're trying to ruin college basketball."

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said earlier in October he thinks the NBA draft will likely be expanded at some point. But Calipari believes the college basketball environment provides a better system than the G League for athletes who aren't surefire NBA players.

"After two years they don't perform, what?" Calipari said. "The NBA is going to take care of them and hire them? No. It's entertainment. You're done."

The NBA has limited its draft to two rounds since 1989. Prior to that, the selection featured seven rounds or more, with the vast majority of players chosen never playing in the league.

"If they're not going to the NBA, if we're really about young people, we should encourage them to go to college," Calipari added. "And the reason is their way out is through education. Their way to break through to the American dream is education."

Calipari has previously voiced support for allowing players to go pro straight from high school. He's coached 38 players who have been selected in the NBA draft since he took over at Kentucky in 2009.