We already knew John Calipari’s coaching staff of John Robic, Kenny Payne and Orlando Antigua was among the nation’s best, but ESPN provided a little more proof on Thursday.ESPN’s College Basketball Nation Blog is doing a series of top 10 lists on Thursday’s during this offseason, and the category tackled today was top assistants in the game under the age of 40. The list, while admittedly not a definitive one, features assistants “who have put themselves in a position to earn head coaching jobs in the future.”Antigua, who just signed a new contract with UK along with the rest of Coach Cal’s staff, came in at No. 1 on the list. Here’s what Myron Medcalf said about the coach who just finished his third season in Lexington:

1. Orlando Antigua (Kentucky): The former Pitt standout helped John Calipari sign another top-ranked recruiting class. But he’s also assisted Calipari in developing the young prodigies who have come to Lexington. After Kentucky won the national title in April, he was a candidate for multiple jobs, including Duquesne. And it’s just a matter of time before he’s leading his own show. He turns 40 next year.

The Kentucky Effect strikes again.LINK: ESPN NAMES ORLANDO ANTIGUA TOP ASSISTANT UNDER 40