There’s been some recent controversy over the lack of Kentucky signees in this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival All-Star Game. According to a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader, it’s the first time the game may not have a UK recruit since its inception in 1972.Instead of playing in the Kentucky Derby Festival All-Star Game, which is slated for April 22 in Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center, UK men’s basketball signees Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague and Kyle Wiltjer are slated to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Per NCAA rules, prospective student-athletes are only allowed to participate in two all-star games from the time they finish their high school career until enrolling with a collegiate institution. Of the all-star games nationwide in March and April, the McDonald’s All-American and the Jordan Brand Classic are considered the cream of the crop.Head coach John Calipari, speaking at his pre-Arkansas media availability, expressed shock Tuesday that the decision of four high school student-athletes to choose where they want to play in an all-star game was even a story.”They wrote a story about that?” Calipari said. “Oh my gosh. Is this like a slow time for (the media)?”Some have questioned why Calipari hasn’t used his influence to persuade the future Wildcats to play in all-star game in Kentucky, but Calipari said the choice of what games those student-athletes decide to play in is strictly the decision of the players and their families.”(We) don’t get involved at all,” Calipari said. “Families choose where their sons are going to play and that’s the end of that.”Supporting Calipari’s reasoning and the decision of their respective sons, the families of the Gilchrist, Davis, Teague and Wiltjer released a joint statement explaining the decision. “We are honored that our sons have been considered for so many prestigious all-star games but the NCAA only allows them to play in two such events,” the statement read. “Anthony, Michael, Marquis and Kyle will fulfill their lifelong dreams of playing in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic.”