Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball Recruiting Big Board

Welcome to a new era of Arkansas men’s basketball.

Eric Musselman is out and John Calipari is in, and he has a blank canvas to work with when it comes to building his roster.

As things currently stand, the Hoop Hogs have 4 scholarships available for the 2024-25 season.

Things will evolve and move quickly as Calipari builds his staff and hits the ground running with recruiting, but there is enough information out there already to start connecting some potential dots.

With the reported NIL support for the new regime, Arkansas is expected to be a major player for the top available prospects as the dust settles.

For now, here is an early look at names to get familiar with, including top-tier incoming freshmen, Coach Cal’s previous transfer targets and players from both Arkansas and Kentucky to monitor:

Transfer commitments (6)

Trevon Brazile (Arkansas) | 6-10, 220, F

• Stats: 8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 35.3% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart | Commit reaction podcast
• Years Remaining: 2
• Notes: Brazile in April declared for the draft around the time reports surfaced that Arkansas was finalizing a deal with John Calipari. He entered the transfer portal in early May and withdrew from the draft around the May 29 deadline. Brazile spent the last two seasons at Arkansas after playing his freshman season at Missouri. Brazile has played in just 60 games in his college career.
• UPDATE: Brazile announced on 6/4 that he will return to Arkansas in 2024-25.

DJ Wagner | 6-4, 192, G

• Stats: 9.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.3 apg | Highlights | Shot chart | Analysis
• Years Remaining: 3
• Build: Dontell Jefferson
• Notes: Scored an SEC-high 19 points against Arkansas on March 2. He added 22 and 28 points in back-to-back games against Saint Joseph’s and Marshall in November. Recorded an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double against Georgia on Jan. 20. Wagner ranked No. 17 in SEC play in assist rate, per KenPom.
UPDATE: Wagner’s commitment to Arkansas became public on 5/26.

Adou Thiero | 6-8, 222, F

• Stats: 7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 49.2% FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Reggie Chaney
• Notes: Reports came on 3/28 that Thiero was entering the transfer portal. He recorded 1 point, 6 rebounds and 1 block in Bud Walton Arena in January, and had 5 points and 3 assists vs. Arkansas in Rupp Arena in March. He finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas in November, and had multiple blocks in 6 games in 2023-24.
• UPDATE: Thiero committed to Arkansas on 5/6.

Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic) | 6-4, 203, G

• Stats: 18.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 43.8% 3FG | Highlights
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Jacked Jimmy Whitt
• Notes: American Athletic Conference Player of the Year with previous Final Four experience. Davis is the No. 1 available transfer in the portal, according to On3.com, and multiple reports have surfaced naming Arkansas as the school to beat should he withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to college.
• UPDATE: Davis committed to and signed with Arkansas on 5/1.

Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee) | 6-11, 241, F

• Stats: 11.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Bobby Portis
• Notes: Arguably the most improved player in the SEC last season, the Tennessee big man pulled down eight double-doubles and earned second team All-SEC and All-Defensive Team honors for the Vols.
• UPDATE: Aidoo committed to and signed with Arkansas on 4/29.

Zvonimir Ivisic | 7-2, 234, F

• Stats: 5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 57.7% FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 3
• Notes: A native of Croatia, Ivisic played in just 15 games as a freshman for the Wildcats. He scored 13 points in his college debut vs. Georgia and had a season-high 18 points and 4 blocks against Alabama. Finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks vs. Arkansas in Rupp Arena in March. UPDATE: Ivisic committed to the Razorbacks on April 15, two days after entering the NCAA transfer portal. Arkansas announced on April 17 that he has signed with the program.

High school commitments (3)

Billy Richmond | 6-6, 200, SF

• Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
• Currently: Committed to Arkansas (4/26)
• Class ranking (On3 industry): 24 | Highlights
• Scout: “Billy Richmond is a connecting forward prospect. Standing at a lengthy 6-6, he has a projectable frame that should continue to add weight and not lose fluidity or explosion. He is a good passer, sees the floor well and properly weight passes at multiple levels. The jump shot needs work as it is flat and the shot load is inconsistent. Richmond puts pressure on the rim from the wing. He can quickly turn defense into offense with his anticipation and aggression in the passing lanes. A switchable defender able to guard on the ball or slide down to defend bigger forwards. He moves the ball well and looks to punish the rim in transition. The jump shot will need development.” – On3 staff
• Also recruited by: Kentucky, Memphis, Alabama, LSU, Kansas
• Former Kentucky commitment

Boogie Fland | 6-2, 175, PG

• Hometown: Harlem, NY
• Currently: Committed to Arkansas (4/25)
• Class ranking (On3 industry): 19 | Highlights
• Scout: “Boogie Fland plays with a New York flair. He has a good handle and is able to shoot the ball from each level. He has deep range off the bounce and will pull up if you give him an inch. He sees the floor well, gets his teammates in evolved, and takes care of the ball, valuing possessions. There is a floater game in there as well, with a one and two dribble pull-up. He will need to continue getting stronger, and he is a solid athlete and has average length. The confidence is sky-high, and the skill set is obvious. He has a comfort playing on the ball or off the ball in a two-guard lineup. Never afraid of the spotlight.” – Jamie Shaw, On3 National Recruiting Analyst
• Also recruited by: Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Alabama, North Carolina
• Former Kentucky commitment

Karter Knox | 6-6, 211, SF

• Hometown: Riverview, Fla.
• Currently: Committed to Arkansas (4/22)
• Class ranking (On3 industry): 21 | Highlights
• Scout: “Karter Knox is a lengthy and explosive wing. His frame is very projectable and already physically developed, and he has broad shoulders with arms that flow down; should add good weight relatively easily once he gets to a college strength and conditioning program. He is a straight-line driver off the bounce. Gets into the paint and violently attacks the rim, playing way above it. He plays well out of the dunker spot, is an apt back door cutter, and attacks the offensive boards. Would like to see him develop the jump shot more [to] at least become average in the catch and shoot.” – Jamie Shaw, On3 National Recruiting Analyst
• Also recruited by: Louisville, South Florida, Kansas, Texas
• Former Kentucky commitment

Players remaining in transfer portal to watch

Coleman Hawkins (Illinois) | 6-10, 225, F

• Stats: 12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.1 bpg, 36.9% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Moses Kingsley
• Notes: Hawkins recently withdrew from the upcoming NBA Draft. According to On3.com, he is the No. 12 overall player in the transfer portal and the No. 1 power forward. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by The Associated Press last season. He shot 40.5% from deep in conference play on 84 attempts and scored in double figures 22 times overall. Hawkins blocked multiple shots in 11 games and had at least 2 steals 16 times. Hawkins would be an ideal fit for Calipari’s first roster at Arkansas.

Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State) | 6-7, 225, F

• Stats: 14.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 34.5% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Gabe Osabuohien
• Notes: Kaluma recently withdrew from the NBA Draft. On3 considers him the No. 32 overall player in the transfer portal and the No. 2 power forward. Kaluma played his first two seasons at Creighton before transferring to Kansas State for the 2023-24 season. He helped the Bluejays reach the Elite Eight in 2023. Kaluma shot 35.6% from deep in Big 12 play on 90 attempts and had 5 games with 10-plus rebounds. He can be turnover prone.

Jamir Watkins (Florida State) | 6-7, 215, F

• Stats: 15.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.9 spg, 34.4% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Kamani Johnson
• Notes: Watkins recently withdrew from the NBA Draft. He began his college career at VCU, where he played two seasons, then transferred to Florida State. The New Jersey native shot 36.5% from deep on 63 attempts in ACC play last season. He placed in the top 50 nationally, per KenPom, in steal rate at 3.8%. Watkins scored at least 15 points in 20 games in 2023-24 and had 5 double-doubles. He was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams with the Rams.
• UPDATE: According to a 6/3 report from Jon Rothstein, Watkins is considering six schools and Arkansas is not one of them.

Notable reported prep contacts

Nolan Traore | 6-5, 184, G

• Stats: 15.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 2.7 apg, 43.3% FG (Stats per RealGM) | Highlights
• Years Remaining: 4
• Build: Tramon Mark
• Notes: Class of 2024 prospect. The native of France was said to be connected to Arkansas and head coach John Calipari the week of May 13. According to 247 Sports, Traore has offers from Alabama, Gonzaga and Xavier. He was considered one of the best players on the floor at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. He is considered a first-round pick in next year’s NBA Draft by multiple outlets.
• UPDATE: Traore will not play college basketball, according to a 6/1 report by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The report states Traore will sign a two-year contract with Saint-Quentin in the French first division.

Egor Demin | 6-8, 190, G/F

• Stats: 13.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.2 apg (Stats per EuroBasket) | Highlights
• Years Remaining: 4
• Build: Jaxson Robinson
• Notes: Native of Russia and class of 2024 prospect. Reportedly became connected to Arkansas and John Calipari the week of May 13. NBA Draft Room writes Demin is “a jumbo point guard who is very skilled with the ball in his hands. [He] is a great passer, ball handler and shooter. Has really nice touch on his jumper. A below the rim player who lacks speed and bounce.” The site considers him a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
• UPDATE: Demin committed to BYU on 5/28.

Calipari’s known transfer contacts

Wooga Poplar (Miami) | 6-5, 197, G

• Stats: 13.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 38.5% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Mason Jones
• Notes: According to a report, Arkansas had made contact with Poplar as of 4/25. He has Final Four experience and has been to the Elite Eight twice. He finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds against Kentucky last season, 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. Georgia, and 13 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina. The Philadelphia native is a career 36.5% three-point shooter in his career.
• UPDATE: Poplar committed to Villanova on 6/5.

Kasean Pryor (South Florida) | 6-10, 210, F

• Stats: 13.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 35.2% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Trevon Brazile
• Notes: Arkansas is among the schools to reach out to Pryor since he entered the transfer portal, according to On3.com’s Jamie Shaw. Finished last season 29th nationally in defensive rebound percentage (26.1%). Pryor shot 40.3% from deep on 62 attempts in AAC play. Scored 20-plus points 6 times, including 29 twice, and had 14 games with 10 or more rebounds. Pryor, a Chicago native, began his career at Boise State.
• UPDATE: Pryor committed to Louisville on 5/14.

Elijah Saunders (San Diego State) | 6-8, 225, F

• Stats: 6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 41.9% FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Reggie Chaney
• Notes: Arkansas has contacted Saunders as of 4/30, according to The Portal Report. Saunders scored in double figures 6 times last season, including a 16-point, 8-rebound outing vs. Washington. The Phoenix native shot 36.9% from deep in Mountain West Conference play on 65 attempts. He also had four blocks against BYU.
• UPDATE: Saunders committed to Virginia on 5/6.

Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall) | 6-6, 210, G

• Stats: 15.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.1 apg, 2.2 spg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Stanley Umude
• Notes: According to a report by Adam Zagoria, Arkansas has contacted Richmond as of 4/26. He is one of the most well-rounded players in the sport. Richmond finished last season at No. 37 nationally in assist rate and No. 42 in steal rate, per KenPom data. Began his career at Syracuse. The Brooklyn native had a triple-double against Creighton, three 10-plus assist games, and eight steals in a win over UConn.
• UPDATE: Richmond committed to St. John’s on 5/7.

Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State) | 6-11, 245, F

• Stats: 7.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.5 apg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 3
• Build: Daniel Gafford
• Notes: The former McDonald’s All-American played his freshman season with the Cowboys and impressed. He finished 2023-24 at No. 84 in the country in block rate and top 200 in defensive rebound percentage. Garrison scored in double figures 10 times, with 20-point games vs. BYU, West Virginia and Baylor. Garrison, who started all but 3 games last season, also blocked multiple shots in 12 games, with a high of 6.
• UPDATE: Garrison committed to Kentucky on 4/30.

Trazarien White (UNC-Wilmington) | 6-7, 195, G

• Stats: 19.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 39.0% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Anthony Black
• Notes: According to multiple reports, White has been contacted by Arkansas’ staff as of 4/25. Draw a picture of the ideal Arkansas wing and White is your guy. Star for a strong UNC-W team and poured in 28 on the Hogs and 27 on Kentucky in Rupp Arena.
• UPDATE: White committed to TCU on 5/15.

TJ Power (Duke) | 6-9, 216, F

• Stats: 2.1 ppg, 0.7 rpg | Highlights
• Years Remaining: 3
• Build: Arlando Cook
• Notes: On3.com reported on 4/23 that Arkansas has been in contact with the former five-star prospect out of the 2023 class who was also named the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year. Power hit a pair of three-pointers off the bench at Bud Walton Arena in Duke’s loss to the Razorbacks in the SEC/ACC Challenge.
• UPDATE: Power committed to Virginia on 5/6.

Ezra Ausar (East Carolina) | 6-8, 247, F

• Stats: 11.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Shorter Jaylin Williams
• Notes: Jamie Shaw of On3.com reported on 4/23 that Arkansas was the latest school to reach out to Ausar. The Atlanta native played the last two seasons with the Pirates. Scored in double figures 19 times and had three double-doubles. Finished fourth in the country in free throw rate and drew 6.3 fouls per 40 minutes played, per KenPom.
• UPDATE: Ausar committed to Utah on 5/29.

Trey Edmonds (UTSA) | 6-10, 255, F

• Stats: 7.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Makhel Mitchell
• Notes: Imposing interior presence. Double-doubles against Army and Lamar. Full-time starter for the Roadrunners in 2023-24. Began his career at Dixie State before transferring to Utah Tech. He had 10-plus rebounds in four games. Edmonds reportedly received interest from Arkansas recently.
• UPDATE: Edmonds committed to Minnesota on 5/6.

Sean Stewart (Duke) | 6-9, 227, F

• Stats: 2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 57.1% FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 3
• Build: Makhi Mitchell
• Notes: Arkansas is among the schools to reach out to Stewart since he entered the transfer portal, according to 24/7 High School Hoops. A former McDonald’s All-American, he played in 19.1% of the Blue Devils’ available minutes last season and had a high of 16 points vs. LaSalle. Stewart also scored 12 points on NC State in March. In 275 minutes, he had 105 rebounds, which were more than two teammates who played 900-plus minutes. His 44 offensive rebounds ranked fourth on the team.
• UPDATE: Stewart committed to Ohio State on 5/3.

Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) | 6-3, 180, G

• Stats: 13.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 35.5% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Davonte Davis
• Notes: According to a report, Arkansas is among more than a dozen programs to contact Mahaney since entering the transfer portal on 4/16. Two-time All-WCC selection. He shot 35.5% from deep last season on 231 attempts against D-I teams, and he is a career 37.7% perimeter shooter on more than 400 looks. Mahaney had six 20-plus point games in 2023-24, including two against Gonzaga and another vs. New Mexico. Recorded more than two turnovers in just six games. Averaged 13.9 points in both college seasons.
• UPDATE: Mahaney committed to UConn on 4/29.

Koby Brea (Dayton) | 6-6, 205, G

• Stats: 11.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 49.8% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Ricky Council
• Notes: On3’s Jamie Shaw reported on 4/16 that Arkansas had been in contact with Brea since entering the transfer portal on 4/15. Brea was one of the best three-point shooters in the country last season, hitting 49.8% of his 201 attempts. He made four-plus threes in 13 games in 2023-24 and was 9 of 16 in the NCAA Tournament vs. Nevada and Arizona. KenPom data shows he had the No. 9 offensive rating in the nation as well at 133.8.
• UPDATE: Brea committed to Kentucky on 5/1.

Dre Davis (Seton Hall) | 6-6, 212, G

• Stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 35.0% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Au’Diese Toney
• Notes: Davis appears to be the first Arkansas transfer portal contact under John Calipari. He scored 20-plus points in 5 games, including a season-best 28 vs. DePaul, and recorded 3 double-doubles. Davis played two seasons at Louisville before transferring to Seton Hall. He finished No. 12 in Big East play in block percentage and No. 7 in free throw percentage.
• UPDATE: Davis committed to Ole Miss on 4/17.

Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers) | 6-11, 240, F

• Stats: 10.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.9 bpg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Moses Kingsley
• Notes: No. 3 overall transfer in the On3.com rankings. One of the most disruptive rim protectors in the country. Ranked third in the nation in block percentage (12.7). Recorded 8 blocks in matchups against Illinois and Wisconsin. Nine double-doubles on the season. Other schools involved include St. John’s, UConn, Villanova and Kansas. Omoruyi had also been pursued by Arkansas’ previous staff.
• UPDATE: Omoruyi committed to Alabama on 5/5.

AJ Storr (Wisconsin) | 6-7, 205, G

• Stats: 16.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 43.4% FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Jeremiah Davenport
• Notes: Storr began his college career at St. John’s before transferring to Wisconsin, where he was a second team All-Big Ten selection. He scored 20-plus points in 11 games, including 30 vs. Northwestern, and had 2 double-doubles. Storr finished with 17 points vs. Tennessee in November and 22 against Providence. He entered the transfer portal in late March and instantly became one of the nation’s most coveted players.
• UPDATE: Storr committed to Kansas on 4/18.

BJ Freeman (Milwaukee) | 6-6, 200, G

• Stats: 21.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 35.1% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Moses Moody
• Notes: No. 83 overall transfer in the On3.com rankings. Two-time All-Horizon League performer. Averaged 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals in Milwaukee’s last 13 games. Recorded seven double-doubles. Finished No. 89 in the nation in fouls drawn per 40 minutes played. Other schools involved include Kansas, Tennessee, Syracuse, Providence, Mississippi State, Missouri, Villanova, Arizona State, UCF, Xavier, Colorado, and Texas A&M. Freeman was also pursued by Arkansas’ previous staff.
• UPDATE: Freeman committed to Arizona State on 4/27.

Cade Tyson (Belmont) | 6-7, 205, G

• Stats: 16.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 46.5% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 2
• Build: Jaxson Robinson
• Notes: No. 42 overall transfer in the On3.com rankings. A 44.6% shooter from beyond the arc in his career, Tyson ranks as the No. 33 available transfer according to On3.com. Had 16 games with three or more made three-pointers on the season. Other schools involved include Duke, North Carolina, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Kansas, Louisville, Texas and Villanova. Tyson was also pursued by Arkansas’ previous staff.
• UPDATE: Tyson committed North Carolina on 4/28.

Sean Pedulla (Virginia Tech) | 6-1, 195, G

• Stats: 16.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.3 rpg | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Rotnei Clarke
• Notes: No. 67 overall transfer in the On3.com rankings. Edmond (Okla.) native. Has scored more than 1,200 points in his three-year career. Third-team All-ACC honors. Led Hokies in scoring and ranked third in conference in assists in 2023-24. Oklahoma and other regional schools are expected to be involved with Pedulla, who has also left the door open for a return to Virginia Tech.
• UPDATE: Pedulla committed to Ole Miss on 4/24.

Jalen Blackmon (Stetson) | 6-3, 180, G

• Stats: 21.3 ppg, 38.1% 3FG | Highlights | Shot chart
• Years Remaining: 1
• Build: Daryl Macon
• Notes: No. 63 overall transfer in the On3.com rankings. One of the top available scorers in the portal who knocked down 110 three-pointers last season, Blackmon led the ASUN in scoring and was a first-team all-league selection. Other schools involved include Kansas, Indiana, UCLA, Texas and others. Blackmon is the son of former Kentucky star James Blackmon.
• UPDATE: Blackmon committed to Miami on 4/28.