The Kentucky men’s basketball program finished in the top 10% of Academic Progress Rate, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
This is the sixth consecutive season the men’s basketball program has received the award. A school-record seven Kentucky teams won NCAA Academic Progress Rate honors this season. In addition to men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, gymnastics, women’s swimming and diving, and volleyball also received awards for finishing among the nation’s top 10% in their sports.
The APR measures academic eligibility, retention, and graduation. The scores are a four year composite beginning in 2015-2016 and covering through the 2018-2019 school years.
John Calipari had this to say about the men’s basketball team receiving the honor for the sixth consecutive season.
“This is the sixth straight season our program has received this award, something we take tremendous pride in,” said men’s basketball coach John Calipari. “At the end of the day, we are here to put these kids in an opportunity and on a stage to chase their dreams — to prepare them for the next step of their lives. Whether that’s playing basketball professionally or entering the business world or whatever they choose to do, our kids leave here as lifelong learners. That’s a credit to their hard work and the support and guidance of Michael Stone and our CATS staff. They challenge our players in the classroom in all areas.”
Mitch Barnhart also offered his thoughts on a record seven Kentucky teams receiving the honor this year.
“Making progress toward graduation is an essential part of the experience at UK,” said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. “The fact that seven of our teams rank among the best in the nation in their APR scores is a testament to both the work of our student-athletes and the commitment of our coaches and staff. Congratulations to our men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s swimming and diving, volleyball and gymnastics teams for earning this recognition.”
