New Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari routinely stacked his Kentucky basketball roster with talented backups who would go on to play in the NBA. On the latest edition of his podcast, he said he does not plan to do the same in Fayetteville. Calipari said he only wants "eight or nine guys" on his 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster, which means he is close to reaching that mark already. He has used the college basketball transfer portal and his recruiting expertise to build a roster from scratch after he took the job last month.
The Razorbacks currently have the highest-rated transfer portal class in the country, according to 247Sports. They also have three recruits who are top-25 players in the 247Sports recruiting rankings, giving them seven players in the Arkansas basketball lineup so far. If you love the Razorbacks, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at HawgSports, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Arkansas.
The team of insiders at HawgSports.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Arkansas basketball coaching transition and roster changes. Launched in 2002, HawgSports has established itself as the top source for insider Arkansas basketball coverage. Trey Biddy, Danny West and Connor Goodson have a combined 30 years of experience covering the Razorbacks professionally. And right now, HawgSports is offering 30% off the first year of an annual subscription*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at HawgSports has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Arkansas basketball roster. Head to HawgSports now to see all the insider info.
Arkansas basketball roster departures
Seven of Arkansas' nine-leading scorers from last season are seniors, so Hogs Nation expected there to be several new faces for the 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster. What it didn't expect was that leading scorer Tramon Mark (16.2 points per game) would take his talents elsewhere. The native Texan, who began his career at Houston, is heading back to the Longhorn State as he joined Texas from the transfer portal.
Meanwhile, Trevon Brazile, who was the top underclassmen scorer for Arkansas last year with 8.6 ppg entered the 2024-25 college basketball transfer portal on May 1. He had previously declared for the NBA Draft as well and indicated that a return to Fayetteville was not in the cards. With other departures, that leaves the number of holdovers from last season's team at just two players -- Cade Arbogast and Lawson Blake -- both of whom made the team as walk-ons and combined to play all of seven minutes last year. Join HawgSports to see the latest on all of Arkansas' roster changes.
Arkansas basketball news, roster
Calipari is seemingly focused on quality over quantity with his first roster at Arkansas, snagging several proven players from the transfer portal. Former Kentucky players Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero both followed Calipari from Lexington to Fayetteville, while FAU guard Johnell Davis and Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo both committed as well. Davis and Aidoo were both double-digit scorers at their respective schools last season, so they will provide a strong foundation for Kentucky.
The Wildcats will be plugging in their freshmen right off the bat, especially since Calipari does not intend on using all of his open scholarships. Boogie Fland is the No. 2 combo guard in the class, while Karter Knox is the No. 7 small forward and Billy Richmond is the No. 9 small forward. There could be one or two more key additions to the roster before the season begins. Join HawgSports to get the latest on all of Arkansas' roster additions.
How to get insider Arkansas basketball roster updates
Calipari has already been in contact with multiple transfers from power-conference teams, so be sure to join HawgSports to see who they are and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Who are the top names Arkansas basketball is pursuing under coach John Calipari, and which power-conference transfers could land in Fayetteville? Go to HawgSports to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Razorbacks, and find out. And reminder, HawgSports is offering 30% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it's too late.
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