Calipari to coach Dominican national team

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 5 (UPI) -- Kentucky's John Calipari announced Thursday he would coach the national team from the Dominican Republic at this year's Olympic qualifying tourney.

The tournament, known as the Americas Championship, will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 11 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Calipari coached the Wildcats to the Final Four this year.

"This will be a great learning experience for me to be able to coach against some of the best minds in international basketball," Calipari said. "I know that being in the NBA helped me do a better job of preparing our young men to reach their dreams and this opportunity will do the same."