The 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster will probably be like a John Calipari basketball household reunion occurring in a location that few might have beforehand fathomed. After 15 years main Kentucky, Calipari is organising store in Bud Walton Area for what ought to be an interesting cap to a Corridor of Fame profession.
Coming with him from UK are three gamers who ought to issue closely into the rotation in D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivišić. Alongside them will probably be three extremely touted freshmen who had been beforehand dedicated to Kentucky, together with a pair with shut ties to Calipari.
Karter Knox is the youthful brother of former Kentucky star Kevin Knox, whereas Billy Richmond III’s father performed for Calipari at Memphis within the early 2000s. Each wings had been top-30 prospects within the Class of 2024 and will probably be wanted to contribute as freshmen. The connections stretch even deeper into the roster as depth items comparable to guards Ayden Kelley and Kareem Watkins additionally share familial connections to former Calipari stars.
Even the teaching employees is acquainted as former longtime Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne rejoins Calipari following two seasons as Louisville‘s coach. Ex-Kentucky assistants Chin Coleman, Chuck Martin and Bruiser Flint are additionally on employees, as is Calipari’s son, Brad. One other acquainted identify is staffer Tyler Ulis, who as soon as starred for the Wildcats.
Collectively, the group will hope to recapture the Kentucky glory days in a brand new location as Calipari goals for a late profession resurgence. Because the 2024-25 season approaches, here is the breakdown of Arkansas’ roster.
Projected beginning lineup
1. D.J. Wagner
6-4 | 195 | So.
Although he by no means misplaced his beginning job as a freshman at Kentucky final season, Wagner was overshadowed by 2024 NBA lottery picks Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. He’ll need to cope with one other extremely touted freshman this season in McDonald’s All-American Boogie Fland. However Wagner’s determination to comply with Calipari from UK to Arkansas means that each events are planning on him taking part in a major function.
2. Johnell Davis
6-4 | 210 | Gr.
Davis earned AAC co-Participant of the Yr whereas averaging 18.2 factors for an FAU workforce that made its second straight NCAA Match look. The versatile scorer upped his 3-point taking pictures to a career-best 41.4% final season and remained environment friendly contained in the arc. He was CBS Sports activities’ No. 1 ranked switch and ought to be an all-SEC performer.
3. Adou Thiero
6-8 | 220 | Jr.
Thiero was an unheralded signee for Calipari within the 2022 recruiting class at Kentucky. Now getting into his third season of SEC basketball, he is confirmed to be an efficient function participant due to his athleticism and motor. His outdoors taking pictures and offensive talent are nonetheless below improvement. However Thiero performs with nice power, can guard a number of positions and may get into the paint off the dribble.
4. Trevon Brazile
6-10 | 230 | Jr.
Brazille is the lone scholarship returner from final 12 months’s Arkansas roster after beginning 23 video games for the Razorbacks in 2023-24. As a rangy ahead with outdoors taking pictures capability and defensive versatility, he is all the time appeared the a part of an NBA prospect. Staying wholesome will probably be key to his continued improvement as Calipari seeks to maximise his intriguing skillset.
5. Jonas Aidoo
6-11 | 240 | Gr.
Aidoo earned all-SEC honors at Tennessee final season whereas averaging 11.4 factors, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per recreation. He struggles to match the physicality of the sport’s high bruisers however is an efficient rim protector with an offensive repertoire that features mid-range taking pictures.
Bench
Boogie Fland
6-2 | 175 | Fr.
Fland is the highest-ranked dedication in Arkansas’ No. 3 ranked signing class. The McDonald’s All-American is heralded as a very good shooter who’s snug taking part in on or off the ball. His lean construct makes him paying homage to many different guards that Calipari has despatched to the NBA within the twenty first century. Fland landed at No. 16 in Kyle Boone’s way-too-early 2025 NBA mock draft.
Karter Knox
6-6 | 220 | Fr.
The youthful brother of former Kentucky star Kevin Knox was a McDonald’s All-American who completed the 2024 recruiting cycle ranked by 247Sports because the No. 25 general prospec. 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein described him as a “true three-range scorer on the wing.” Although he isn’t getting into the season as a projected lottery choose — as his brother was in 2018 — Knox ought to have loads of alternative now that he is one of many sport’s high freshmen.
Zvonimir Ivišić
7-2 | 245 | So.
Ivisic was completely spectacular in his Jan. 20 debut for Kentucky final season and turned in one other monster efficiency towards Alabama in late February. However there have been additionally loads of rising pains for the Croatian sensation, who was battling for minutes in a crowded entrance court docket. With a 12 months of high-major expertise below his belt and a clearer path to taking part in time at Arkansas, he ought to flourish.
Billy Richmond III
6-5 | 205 | Fr.
Between Thiero, Knox and Richmond, the Razorbacks have a pleasant crop of athletic wings with defensive versatility. Richmond’s perimeter shot is a piece in progress, however he could possibly carve out a job with protection and hustle after rating because the No. 27 general prospect within the class.
Depth
Melo Sanchez | 6-4 | 185 | Jr.
Casmir Chavis | 6-0 | 180 | Fr.
Sanchez transferred in from Division II Hawai’i Pacific, the place he developed a popularity for 3-point marksmanship. Chavis ranked as a three-star prospect and selected the Razorbacks over different energy convention scholarship alternatives.