John Calipari will make his first appearance at Arkansas in a charity exhibition game against Kansas next month.
The two schools announced on Wednesday that their men’s basketball teams will face off on October 25 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The money raised from this game will be shared between the Fore the Kids Foundation, which focuses on children’s mental health in Overland Park, Kansas, and the Arkansas Children’s Hospitals.
Calipari left Kentucky after 15 seasons, where he made four trips to the Final Four and won the national title in 2012. He mentioned that the Wildcats needed “to hear another voice” and moved to Arkansas, an SEC rival, to take over from Eric Musselman, who accepted a position at Southern California.
Calipari has a history with the Kansas program, having worked as an assistant there under Ted Owens and Larry Brown in the 1980s.
“It is great for our program to be able to play these high-profile charity games,” Calipari said in a statement. “Not only is it entertaining and valuable for the teams and fans, but it also raises a lot of money for great causes.”
Arkansas will also have another charity exhibition against TCU on November 1 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Since arriving, Calipari has transformed the Razorbacks by bringing in Kentucky transfers D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Zvonimir Ivisic.
He also added three notable recruits who had originally signed with the Wildcats: Johnuel Fland, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond. Additionally, he secured transfers Johnell Davis from FAU and Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee.
Kansas coach Bill Self has also made changes after a tough season and might be the preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
Self has brought back All-American center Hunter Dickinson, floor leader Dajuan Harris Jr., and versatile player KJ Adams Jr., and added Wisconsin transfer A.J. Storr, Zeke Mayo from South Dakota State, and Rylan Griffen from Alabama.
The Jayhawks also signed prep prospects Flory Bidunga and Rakease Passmore, who may contribute quickly.
The game against Arkansas is scheduled for one week after Kansas hosts its 40th annual Late Night in the Phog.
“We are excited to be able to go play at Arkansas in an exhibition game and help raise money for a great cause,” Self said. “This game will give us a good idea to see where our team is before the season starts.”
