Canisius hires former BC coach Christian

BUFFALO, N.Y. » Canisius University hired former Boston College coach Jim Christian to take over its men’s basketball program Monday.

The 59-year-old joins the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference program after spending two seasons as an assistant at Kent State. In 2022-23, the Golden Flashes won 28 games and the MidAmerican Conference tournament title.

He replaces Reggie Witherspoon, who’s contract was not renewed after eight seasons. Based in Buffalo, New York, the Golden Griffins spent much of last season without three key contributors in finishing 14-18, their fifth losing record in six years.

Christian has 19 seasons of college head-coaching experience, including stops at Kent State, TCU and Ohio, with an overall record of 317-273. He went 75-119 at Boston College from 201420, which included a 19-win season and an NIT berth in 2017-18.

During six seasons at Kent State from 2002-08, he was a two-time MAC coach of the year in leading the Golden Flashes to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and ‘08. His .700 winning percentage (137-59) ranks as the conference’s best.

Sources: Calipari, Arkansas near deal

LEXINGTON, KY. » Longtime Kentucky coach John Calipari was in negotiations to potentially leave and take the men’s basketball coaching job at Arkansas, multiple outlets reported late Sunday.

Arkansas officials have been in discussions with Calipari about the opening, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. ESPN reported that Calipari is finalizing a five-year deal.

The 65-year-old Hall of Fame coach has spent the last 15 seasons at Kentucky. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart recently said Calipari would return, despite calls for his firing following the Wildcats’ third consecutive early exit from the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky was seeded third in March Madness, but fell 80-76 to No. 14 Oakland in the first round. This latest loss in Pittsburgh came a year after the Wildcats were ousted in the second round, and two years after they were upset as a No. 2 seed by 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s.

Calipari’s dismissal would’ve triggered a $33 million buyout under terms of a lifetime contract signed in 2019; there is no buyout if he leaves for another job.

Calipari has a 410-122 record at Kentucky, including the 2012 national championship and three other Final Four appearances (2011, 2014 and 2015).

Eric Musselman spent the last five years as Arkansas coach before leaving last week for USC.

Florida guard Clayton Jr. in draft process

GAINESVILLE, FLA. » Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., the team’s leading scorer at 17.6 points a game this season, is entering the NBA draft with the potential to rejoin the Gators for his senior year.

Clayton, a 6-foot-3 junior from Lake Wales who became a father in December, plans to go through the pre-draft process before deciding whether to forgo his final year of college eligibility. He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft.

Clayton made his announcement on social media, saying he would “return to no other than the University of Florida” if the NBA doesn’t pan out.

Clayton transferred to Florida after two seasons at Iona. He hit 43 percent of his shots in 2023-24, including 36.5 percent from 3-point range. Clayton’s average was the fifth-best mark in school history.

Arizona big Ballo in portal

TUCSON, ARIZ. » Arizona center Oumar Ballo entered the transfer portal Monday, leaving coach Tommy Lloyd with a huge hole to fill.

“I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, friends and family for their ongoing support to make me the best player and person I can be,” Ballo wrote on X. “I especially would like to thank coach Lloyd for the impact he has had on my life -- Arizona is in great hands. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student for my final year of eligibility.”

Ballo, who’s from Mali, started his career at Gonzaga.