Adou Thiero commits to Calipari, Razorbacks

Arkansas coach John Calipari has landed another transfer commitment from a player on Kentucky’s 2023-24 roster.

Adou Thiero, a 6-8 and 222-pound forward, pledged to the Razorbacks on Monday. He recently completed his sophomore season and was in Fayetteville for a visit last week, according to posts to his Instagram account.

Thiero joins 7-2 forward Zvonimir Ivisic as former Wildcats to join Calipari at Arkansas this offseason.

“I started with Coach Cal and want to see it through with him,” Thiero told ESPN. “Very excited to join the family and ready to get to work.”

He reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal on March 28, one week after Kentucky’s season ended with an NCAA Tournament upset loss to Oakland.

A native of Leetsdale, Pa., Thiero averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as a sophomore last season. He scored in double figures in 5 games and recorded a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double against Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago on Nov. 14.

The No. 60 overall player in the transfer portal, per On3.com’s ranking, Thiero added 15 points and 3 blocks in the Wildcats’ home loss to Gonzaga on Feb. 10, and had 14 points and 8 rebounds in a road win at Auburn a week later. He finished with six multi-block games.

Thiero last season missed seven straight games, six in SEC play, because of back soreness, according to reports.

The forward initially signed with Kentucky over scholarship offers from Xavier, Duquesne, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Maryland and other programs. He reportedly visited Pittsburgh this spring as well.

According to the Wildcats’ official website, Thiero grew two inches and added 22 pounds between his freshman and sophomore seasons.