Calipari on allowing Jamal Murray to play for Canada: We're going to do whatever we can

Incoming Kentucky freshman Jamal Murray reportedly wants to see if he'll be able to cut classes to suit up for Team Canada at the upcoming FIBA Americas Championship in September.

After leading Canada to the silver at the recently concluded Pan American Games, Murray is being looked upon to once again play for his national team at the Olympic qualifying tournament.

However, he'll have to ensure that participating in the tournament won't cause him to run afoul of NCAA regulations, with classes in Lexington starting on Aug. 26.

Kentucky coach John Calipari, as reported by Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News, has provided Canada Basketball officials with a "drop-dead" date Murray would have to arrive on campus to begin the fall term and be eligible to compete in NCAA basketball for the full season.

Nevertheless, the coach seems willing to do what he can to allow Murray to represent his home country in the pivotal international tournament.

"We’ll see if there’s any way he can do both, because that’s what I want," Calipari said. "The kid absolutely wants to play for the national team, and we want that. But the NCAA has really clear guidelines on this.

"This kid is so much for his country, I can’t begin to tell you. Whatever we can do, we’re going to do."