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re: Arkansas Basketball 2024 (and beyond) Recruiting Thread **TR G DJ Wagner Commits**
Posted on 4/30/24 at 4:06 pm to RazorHawg
Posted on 4/30/24 at 4:06 pm to RazorHawg
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TOTAL DOMINANCE: Cameron Boozer
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The No. 2 prospect in the 2025 Rivals150 was asked to do a lot for his Nightrydas Elite team over the weekend, and the 6-foot-9 forward answered the call. Playing in the event’s first game on Friday night, Boozer went for an eye-popping 31 points and 16 rebounds in a win.
The contest managed to showcase the forward’s developing passing skills as well as his physical prowess. Boozer shot 50 percent from the floor in the contest and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. That brand of performance is becoming typical for Boozer, who remains in the conversation for the No. 1 spot in the Rivals150.
Recruitment: Boozer is considered a Duke lean but also seems serious about Miami. He says he plans to take one more visit this spring but declines to say where the destination may be. That said, Arkansas’ John Calipari, who recruited Boozer heavily at Kentucky, recently reached out, so Fayetteville seems like a logical guess.
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DO IT ALL: Maleek Thomas
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Everyone loves a long, hyper-athletic point guard and Thomas is just that. He possesses the length, athleticism and passing ability to impact games even when he isn’t posting gaudy point totals, so when he’s scoring at will as he was on Saturday afternoon, he becomes one of the most dynamic prospects in the class.
Thomas racked up 20 points and nine rebounds, and a number of crafty assists in his New Heights Lightning team’s win over the NY Rens on Saturday. He displayed a type of vocal leadership that’s rare in such young prospects, constantly motivating and coaching his teammates. Watching Thomas operate is an absolute joy on most occasions, as he’s as spirited and confident as he is effective.
Recruitment: Thomas is seriously considering programs such as Auburn, Pitt, Arkansas, Penn State, UConn and Indiana.
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IMPROVED EFFICIENCY: Darius Acuff
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Efficiency isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind while watching the volume-scouring Acuff, but a Saturday afternoon game saw the five-star shoot roughly 80 percent from the floor en route to an 18-point performance for The Family against Team CP3. Everyone has long known that Acuff is a true three-level scorer capable of posting gaudy point totals and taking over games, but his battle has been with shot selection.
On Friday, he showed some poise and discretion while still making a massive impact in the scoring column through pull-up jumpers and crafty finishes at the rack, which was encouraging for a prospect that can be reckless when it comes to chucking shots at times. Acuff is one of the most explosive scorers in the 2025 class and could improve his stock even more if he continues to play within the offense and take smart shots as he did Saturday.
Recruitment: Michigan, Kansas and Arkansas feel like the three main players to land Acuff. He recently visited the Jayhawks, has been in close contact with the new Wolverines staff and plans to take an official visit to Arkansas on May 10.
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Posted on 4/30/24 at 5:08 pm to RazorHawg
Posted on 5/3/24 at 1:54 am to RazorHawg
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Five-star guard Meleek Thomas is one of the more well-traveled prospects in the 2025 class. The Pittsburgh-based junior has already toured Pitt, Auburn, Penn State, Kentucky and others. Now, Thomas has plans for another round of travel that will include trips to both Indiana and Arkansas.
Rivals recently caught up to the in-demand junior for a conversation about all things related to his recruitment.
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ON HIS LAST VISIT:
“My last visit was to the University of Pittsburgh – my hometown. It was good. Their pitch to me is, ‘You don’t have to go anywhere to get everything you want out of a school. You could just be here and be home.’ I like the staff. I like the players. I like the city.”
ON FUTURE VISIT PLANS:
“I’m going to go to UConn and Arkansas. I’m going to take my Indiana official again. All of these are officials. I’m going to go to Miami and Kansas, too.”
ON HIS MOST RECENT CONVERSATION WITH ARKANSAS’ JOHN CALIPARI:
“He told me he has been recruiting me for as long as he has for a reason. He says he wants me with him no matter where he is, and now it’s Arkansas.”
ON UCONN:
“It’s a great program. You go there to win. UConn speaks for itself. They just won a national championship and, two weeks later, they are right back at practice. That is a hard-working program. That’s basically their pitch to me. If I go there, the work never stops, and that’s how they turn me into a pro.”
ON A TIMETABLE FOR A COMMITMENT:
“I don’t have a set timetable. I want to take most of my visits in the next couple months and then I’ll commit whenever God tells me to commit.”
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RIVALS' REACTION
Thomas doesn't often tip his hand when it comes to where he’ll ultimately land for college. Auburn, Arkansas, Pitt, UConn and Indiana seem like major players, however.
The picture of his recruitment will most likely begin to clear this summer, however, as Thomas is still attempting to narrow his list.
Posted on 5/3/24 at 1:56 am to RazorHawg
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The twin sons of Duke legend turned NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron and Cayden Boozer are two of the most buzzed-about prospects in the 2025 class for good reason. Duke is considered the favorite to land the duo for the time being, but Miami, Arkansas and others remain seriously involved.
Rivals recently caught up with five-star center Cameron Boozer to discuss he and his brother’s recruiting journey as well as what may be next for the celebrated siblings.
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ON IF HE HAS SPOKEN WITH THE NEW ARKANSAS STAFF:
“[John Calipari] called me the other day. He told me that he’s the same coach just moving headquarters. He still wants to recruit us. He said it’s like when a big company moved to a new location, that’s the same thing he did.”
ON IF CALIPARI LOOKS WEIRD IN ARKANSAS RED:
“It was interesting for sure. I wasn’t really expecting it, but I’m sure it’s going to be a great program.”
ON HIS REACTION TO CALIPARI GOING TO ARKANSAS:
"I saw it and I was like ‘wow. That’s weird.’ I don't think anyone was expecting it. I really never expected him to leave Kentucky.”
ON FUTURE VISITS:
“I might take one more visit during this EYBL time. Then, I’m going to be done.”
ON THE DESTINATION FOR HIS FINAL VISIT:
“Ummm … you’ll see.”
ON THE SCHOOLS MOST INVOLVED IN HIS RECRUITMENT:
“I’d say Miami, Duke, Florida .. Arkansas is one of them now. Also, North Carolina.”
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RIVALS' REACTION
Duke is going to be the assumed frontrunner to land Cameron Boozer and his twin brother Cayden until the final stretch based on obvious factors, including their famous father’s legacy at the school.
That said, Miami and Arkansas seem to feel at least cautiously optimistic about their respective chances. It seems unlikely that other schools become serious threats, but Florida has also received an official visit and bears mentioning for the time being.
Posted on 5/22/24 at 8:11 pm to RazorHawg
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TOP PERFORMANCE: Will Riley
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It’s hard to top near perfection and that was Riley on Friday night against Team Durant.
Riley went 15 of 19 from the field for 42 points, including an impressive 6 of 8 on three-pointers. Add in four rebounds and five assists, and it was complete domination in the 100-60 victory.
What Riley did particularly well is handle making plays deep into the shot clock and never got rattled with time going down. He knew he was in the “zone” but he still took quality shots.
Currently ranked No. 15 in the Rivals150, he showed what he is capable of when everything is clicking. The Canadian need to add strength at the next level, but he has a sophisticated offensive package.
Recruitment: Riley is looking at Kentucky, Arkansas, Arizona and Alabama, plus the NBL in New Zealand.
In an era of college basketball where it’s hard for freshman to make an immediate impact causing colleges to go after four-year transfers, Riley will be the exception if he elects to play for any of those four programs.
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ARKANSAS, CALIPARI PRIORITIZING MALEEK THOMAS
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Arkansas head coach John Calipari has long been celebrated for his prowess on the recruiting trail, and he was back at it again over the weekend, logging long flights and early mornings in pursuit of talent. One of the most telling moves he made, however, was the late-Friday flight he hopped from an adidas event in Central Texas to Indianapolis in order to be present for five-star guard’s Maleek Thomas’ 8 a.m. Nike EYBL game on Saturday.
Thomas went on record saying he intends to take an official visit to Arkansas in the near future, and it seems as though the Razorbacks staff is setting up for an attempt to seal the deal on the aforementioned trip. Calipari and company will have to hold off programs such as UConn, Baylor, Pitt and Auburn, all of whom were also keeping a close eye on Thomas over the weekend, in order to do so.
Expect Arkansas to be a player until the very end of Thomas’ recruitment, as the Razorbacks seem like a good bet to make the cut on any future list trimmings.
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