Before being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, Tyrese Maxey spent his college career at Kentucky playing under the legendary John Calipari. Years later, the All-Star guard took a moment to acknowledge his former coach's latest success in the NCAA Tournament. Following Arkansas' improbable run to the Elite Eight, Maxey shared a heartfelt message on social media to celebrate Calipari's achievement.
Man I'm so happy for Coach Cal !!
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) March 22, 2025
Calipari's Arkansas Squad Continues Its Cinderella Story
After a long tenure at Kentucky, Calipari made a surprising move to Arkansas. Entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed, expectations were tempered, but the Razorbacks have defied the odds.
Their journey began with an upset win over No. 7 Kansas, securing a 79-72 victory. In the Round of 32, Calipari's squad stunned No. 2 St. John's, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight. Arkansas will now set its sights on yet another upset, as they prepare to face No. 3 Texas Tech in hopes of continuing their magical run.
Maxey's Reaction and Current Status with the Sixers
Despite being unable to participate in March Madness during his college days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maxey remains deeply connected to the tournament. After Arkansas' latest victory, he took to X to share his excitement, sending a brief but heartfelt message to his former coach.
Meanwhile, Maxey has been sidelined with back and finger injuries, missing several weeks of action for the Sixers. Although he remains the last All-Star standing for Philadelphia, his return timeline remains uncertain. As he continues to recover, Maxey stays engaged with basketball, supporting Calipari and his tournament run from afar.
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM.