The Arkansas Razorbacks shook up the college basketball world when they hired head coach John Calipari away from SEC rival Kentucky. Calipari replaces Eric Musselman, who left Arkansas for USC following the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Calipari is widely considered to be one of the best recruiters in the history of college basketball and gained notoriety during his time at Kentucky for the eye-popping number of future NBA players he coached in Lexington. Arkansas basketball is aiming to make the Final Four for the first time since 1995, but saw every scholarship player on the 2023-24 Arkansas basketball roster leave via graduation, college basketball transfer portal, or NBA Draft.
Calipari-coached teams have appeared in six Final Fours, with the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats being his only team to cut down the nets as national champions. The 65-year-old coach will attract the top names in the college basketball transfer portal and on the Arkansas basketball recruiting trail. Can Calipari have the same level of success he's become accustomed to? 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 atHawgSports.comare 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
Arkansas lost every player from last year's roster, with leading scorers Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle both choosing to enter the transfer portal. Mark, who averaged a career-high 16.2 points per game is looking for his third school in three years after transferring to Arkansas from Houston last offseason. Battle is set to make the final stop of his career after averaging 14.8 points in his only season with the Razorbacks.
Third-leading scorer Trevon Brazile declared for the NBA Draft, while fourth-leading scorer Makhi Mitchell used the remainder of his eligibility last year. Other key players from last year's roster included Keyon Menifield Jr. (portal), Jalen Graham (eligibility), El Ellis (eligibility) and Davonte Davis (portal). The Razorbacks also lost a pair of top-100 2024 recruits in Isaiah Elohim (USC) and Jalen Shelley (uncommitted).Join HawgSports to see the latest on all of Arkansas' roster changes.
Arkansas basketball news, roster
Calipari has already managed to flip three commitments from Kentucky to Arkansas. Small forward Karter Knox headlines the trio and comes in ranked as the No. 20 overall player in the country. Knox has NBA bloodlines as the brother of NBA player Kevin Knox and is long and athletic. He is a capable scorer on all three levels and was the No. 1 per-minute scorer in the Nike EYBL last spring and summer by averaging 19.8 points over 24 minutes.
Knox is joined by small forward Billy Richmond and combo guard Boogie Fland. Richmond is a 6-foot-5 left-handed wing who is also an elite level athlete. The Camden (N.J.) product is a high level defender with explosive leaping ability. Fland is a 6-foot-2 combo guard, who many experts believe is the best pure shooter in the 2024 recruiting class. Fland will have to get stronger at the next level, but his length and quickness should allow him to make an immediate impact in the SEC.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.
*Terms:This offer is only available for new members who sign up for a HawgSports annual subscription. After the first year, subscription will re-bill on an annual basis at the regular rate. 247Sports.com reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Please write support@247sports.com with any questions you may have.
