The basketball world was buzzing over the weekend as the New York Knicks secured the 2026 NBA championship, while Mississippi State received encouraging news ahead of next season.
The Bulldogs strengthened their roster when 7-foot center Gai Chol decided to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to Starkville. After missing the entire 2025-26 campaign while recovering from knee surgery, the former medical redshirt will have another opportunity to earn meaningful minutes under head coach Chris Jans.
Meanwhile, the NBA Finals showcased two former Kentucky standouts who once played under John Calipari. Karl-Anthony Towns played a major role in helping the Knicks capture the title, cementing his place among the franchise’s most beloved stars. The championship marked a significant milestone for Towns, who finally added an NBA title to his résumé after years of carrying lofty expectations as a former No. 1 overall pick.
On the other side, San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox endured a difficult series. The former Wildcat struggled offensively and came under scrutiny for a crucial late-game mistake that helped shift momentum in New York’s favor. His performance sparked frustration among Spurs supporters as the team fell short of a championship.
While Towns celebrated the biggest achievement of his professional career, Fox was left facing criticism, making the Finals a tale of two very different outcomes for Calipari’s former Kentucky recruits.
