Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players for John Calipari-Arkansas allegiance

Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players for John Calipari-Arkansas allegiance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kentucky Wildcats have a long history of sending players to the NBA. But after Mark Pope’s squad fell to Iowa State on Sunday, ending its NCAA Tournament run, it was a Cyclones alum who poked fun at those former Wildcats.

Advertisement

Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who starred at Iowa State from 2018-20, shared a social media post that took a light-hearted shot at all the former Kentucky players now playing in the pros.

Haliburton joked that most Kentucky alum in the NBA now have allegiance with the Arkansas Razorbacks, where longtime Wildcats head coach John Calipari is now at the helm.

Here’s a look at Haliburton’s viral Kentucky post after Iowa State’s March Madness win.

MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Tyrese Haliburton takes shot at former Kentucky players

Haliburton has become known for his active X account, especially in the past year — he’s been recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Early in March Madness, Haliburton made it clear he’d be posting about the games, sending a message to college basketball fans: “Make one bracket and stand on it.”

On Sunday, with his second-seeded Iowa State team handling Kentucky with ease, Haliburton continued his March Madness commentary.

Advertisement

He joked that he went to “text the guys who played at Kentucky” about Iowa State’s 82-63 win, but he “forgot they think they Arkansas alum now,” a dig at players for keeping their allegiance with Calipari over the Wildcats.

Notable Kentucky NBA players

Here’s a look at some of the top Kentucky players in the NBA:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

• Julius Randle, Timberwolves

• Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks

MORE: What’s next for Kentucky, Mark Pope after loss to Iowa State?

When did John Calipari leave Kentucky?

Calipari’s departure from Kentucky came in April 2024. He had spent 15 years coaching the Wildcats, but after a first-round upset loss to Oakland in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Calipari decided to step down from his role — and soon after, take the head coaching job at Arkansas.

Advertisement

Calipari compiled 410 wins, one NCAA Tournament title and three Final Four apprarances while at Kentucky from 2009-24.

MORE: Tracking the 2026 March Madness records by conference