LEXINGTON, Ky. — Freshman forward Cam’Ron Fletcher has been asked by head coach John Calipari to take a few days away from the team, Calipari announced on Twitter. Fletcher was spotted in tears on the bench late in Kentucky’s 75-63 loss to North Carolina on Saturday.
“We have asked Cam Fletcher to take some time and step away from the team,” Calipari tweeted. “He needs to reflect and do some soul searching to get his priorities in order. Any attitude or actions that are detrimental to this team will not be tolerated – and that goes for everyone on the team. We have a culture here that’s been built over the last 11 years AND IT WILL NOT CHANGE. Through good times and bad, this culture is meant to change individuals and change maturity levels. This hurts our team, but this is about Cam and his future. I talked to Cam and his mother and they know I care about him and I love him, but they also understand that there are changes that need to be made. It’s his job to decide whether he can perform within this culture both on and off the court.”
We have asked Cam Fletcher to take some time and step away from the team. He needs to reflect and do some soul searching to get his priorities in order. Any attitude or actions that are detrimental to this team will not be tolerated – and that goes for everyone on the team.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) December 21, 2020
After the game, Calipari was asked about Fletcher and said he was upset that he didn’t play more. Fletcher logged four minutes of game action against North Carolina, and has steadily seen his minutes decrease since he made his first career start against Richmond.
“You gotta accept your position on this team, whatever minutes you get,” Calipari said after the North Carolina game. “Cam was mad that he didn’t play more. I’m like, ‘The guys in front of you are playing.’ Lance played out of his mind. They don’t understand that with four minutes to go we had a chance to win the game and you cop an attitude? It’s the immaturity of that.”
Fletcher, seemingly disappointed that his reaction became a story, apologized to the fan base on Sunday.
“Hope all is well BBN, I want to apologize to the BBN, my teammates and coaches. I also want to provide clarity on what happened at the end of yesterday’s game. I was frustrated and let my emotions get the best of me. I always feel I can help the team. I am a team player and it hurts to see my team struggle. That’s why I was frustrated and my emotions peaked. There is no excuse for my behavior at all. I just want to make sure everyone knows I am fully committed to this program and am willing to do whatever I’m asked by my coaches. I will never let that happen again and this mistake in no way reflects who I am. I made a mistake and I take full ownership. Again, I want to apologize to BBN, my teammates and coaches. Stay with us, We are going to get this right.”
