Following Sunday’s commitment of former five-star guard DJ Wagner, John Calipari is only a piece or two away from finalizing his first roster at Arkansas.
While the coaching staff is leaving no stone unturned as it stretches the recruiting trail overseas in pursuit of European star Egor Demin, most eyes will be fixated on the transfer portal this week.
The NCAA’s Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline for the 2024 NBA Draft is Wednesday (May 29) at 11:59 p.m. (ET), and there are still several potential impact players with stay-or-pro decisions to make.
Here is a look at five (plus a bonus) of the best fits to keep an eye on for the Razorbacks as the clock ticks towards decision time:
1. Coleman Hawkins (Illinois) | 6-10, 225, F
Arkansas has two glaring needs remaining as it looks to round out its roster: Depth at the power forward position and proven perimeter shooting. In Coleman Hawkins, the Hogs could effectively kill two birds with one stone.
Hawkins is coming off a tremendous season at Illinois where he took a massive step towards turning his potential into production, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting a career-best 36.9% from three and 79.2% from the charity stripe as the Illini advanced to the Elite Eight.
Despite a solid showing at the combine and more than a half dozen workouts with NBA teams, there is no guarantee Hawkins will receive the guarantee he seeks from an NBA franchise. However, there is a pot of NIL gold waiting for him should he return to college for a final season.
It’s a coin flip as to whether or not Hawkins will remain in the draft or not, but if he opts for a return to school, expect Arkansas to be heavily involved.
2. Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State) | 6-7, 225, F
Perhaps the best player in the portal nobody is talking about, Arthur Kaluma still has a decision looming after taking part in the G League Combine a couple weeks ago.
At times, Kaluma can be maddening with his decision-making and tendency to try and do too much on the floor, but his high ceiling is undeniable.
After a pair of solid seasons at Creighton, Kaluma is coming off his best season of college basketball at Kansas State where he set career-highs in points (14.4), rebounds (7.0), assists (2.0), three-point percentage (34.5), three-point makes (51) and free-throw percentage (74.7).
With 100 starts and a half-dozen games of NCAA Tournament experience under his belt, Kaluma profiles as an impact addition for a contender if he opts to return to college and would slot in well as a 3-4 swing man at Arkansas.
Kansas State just added Achor Achor at his position, and it is at least worth noting that Kaluma was scheduled to visit John Calipari at Kentucky when he entered the portal last offseason before ultimately landing at Manhattan.
3. Jaylen Wells (Washington State) | 6-8, 205, W
Wells was one of the best stories in college basketball last season. After starting his career as a Division 2 All-American at Sonoma State, he burst onto the scene as an All-Pac 12 honoree with the Cougars in ’23-24.
A big wing who connected on 71 three-pointers on a 41.7% clip, Wells has the size and versatility to play multiple positions and has had big games on the biggest of stages.
Wells matched his season-high in Pac 12 play with 27-point performances against Arizona and UCLA. In the NCAA Tournament, he went for 17 in a win over Drake before dropping 20 on Iowa State in the Round of 32.
If Wells returns to college to solidify his stock for another season, it likely won’t be at Washington State following the departure of coach Kyle Smith to Stanford.
Calipari is still big game hunting, and Wells would be one of the most coveted trophy bucks on the market.
4. Jamir Watkins (Florida State) | 6-7, 210, W
After playing two seasons at VCU, Watkins’ stock soared in a breakout ’23-24 campaign at Florida State where he averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game on solid .457/.344/.795 shooting splits.
A big-time two-way wing who is switchable and can float to three different positions, Watkins has a lot of draft appeal and would certainly be an impact addition to any college roster should he return to school.
Interestingly — or unfortunately, depending on which lens one views it from — Watkins could have had his big season at Arkansas. Friends and former teammates of Khalif Battle, the pair visited Fayetteville together last spring and Watkins was believed to be a “silent” commit for a short time.
5. Trevon Brazile (Arkansas) | 6-10, 220, F
No, this is not a typo. In fact, Brazile already announced on Monday that he would withdraw from the draft and return to school for the 2024-25 season. The question is where?
While running it back in Fayetteville feels like an unlikely outcome at the moment, there is something to be said for the familiarity with the program, closeness to home in Springfield (Mo.) and the clean slate that would come with a new set of teammates and revamped coaching staff.
The fit is also admittedly intriguing. As things stand at the 4, Arkansas has Adou Thiero, who profiles as a defensive weapon, junkyard dog and rim finisher. Brazile could compliment that nicely with his ability to stretch the floor from three, alter shots and slide down to provide depth as a small-ball 5 if needed.
Brazile is coming back to school for two reasons: To prove to NBA scouts he can stay healthy and develop his game in his second year post-ACL and to cash in on a hefty NIL bag.
Time will tell if anything materializes in terms of a potential reunion.
Bonus: Wooga Poplar (Miami) | 6-5, 197, G
After adding DJ Wagner over the weekend, another high-profile backcourt addition doesn’t seem like it would fall in the “fit” category, but Poplar is the type of player you pursue, add and figure it out afterwards.
A talented guard with Final Four experience, Poplar is coming off his best season at Miami where he set his high-water marks in points (13.1), rebounds (4.8), assists (2.1) and three-point shooting (38.5%).
Villanova has been a perceived favorite for the Philadelphia native if he removes his name from the draft, but KSR’s Jack Pilgrim reported late last week he was set to visit Kentucky, Oregon and Arkansas.
Anybody but Brazile! Potential is unmet ability and he has lots. And with the effort he gives it will continue to be unmet forever!