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re: Arkansas Basketball 2025 (and beyond) Recruiting Thread **TR F Trevon Brazile Returns**
Posted on 5/26/24 at 9:08 pm to RazorHawg
Posted on 5/26/24 at 9:08 pm to RazorHawg
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Kentucky freshman DJ Wagner, the former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, is following John Calipari to Arkansas for his sophomore season, according to Richard Davenport.
The 6-foot-3 combo guard was a McDonald's All American and five-star recruit and now ranks as the No. 38 overall transfer in the portal.
In his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, Wagner averaged 9.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 40.5% from the field, 29.2% from three.
The decision to follow Calipari comes as no surprise as he is now the third player off Kentucky's roster to follow Calipari to go along with three high school recruits to flip their decisions from Kentucky to Arkansas.
Wagner is the son of former Memphis star Dajuan Wagner that played for Calipari with the Tigers and the relationship is continuing to bear fruits.
Wagner is the eighth addition for Arkansas this off-season after John Calipari inherited a completely depleted roster.
The Razorbacks now boast one of the top recruiting classes in the entire country both in high school and in the portal with Wagner now rounding out the backcourt with Top5 transfer Johnell Davis.
Wagner is a tough, hard-nosed guard that competes on every possession he is on the floor.
He is capable of playing both on and off the ball with his biggest value coming in the intangibles he brings to the floor as a fearless competitor.
His freshman year didn't live up to the lofty expectations set before him but with an improved jumper this season, he could have a breakout sophomore campaign in Fayetteville.
Arkansas will continue to be active in the portal as they look to add some more depth but the core pieces now appear to be in tact.
Calipari is delivering exactly how he was expected to in continuing his tear on the recruiting trail and rebuilding a program and roster just a little over a month into the job.
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Head coach John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball team have landed their fifth transfer portal splash, as Kentucky guard DJ Wagner has committed to the Razorbacks according to a report from Richard Davenport on Sunday.
A 6-foot-4, 192-pound soon-to-be sophomore, Wagner was one of the highest ranked recruits in the class of 2023 according to Rivals at No. 6 in the nation. He averaged 9.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from the field, 29.2% from beyond the arch and 76.6% from the charity stripe.
Wagner scored a season-high 28 points against Marshall and added five assists against the Thundering Herd. He had 13 games with double-digit points and crossed the 20-point threshold on two separate occasions. In a matchup against Arkansas on March 2, Wagner dropped 19 points on efficient shooting (6-of-7 from the field).
Originally from Camden, New Jersey, Wagner first chose the Wildcats over offers from programs like Louisville, Memphis, Syracuse, Villanova, Penn State and others.
According to KenPom, Wagner finished his 2023-24 season with a 104.0 offensive rating, a 46.0 effective field goal percentage, a 49.6 true shooting percentage and a 19.8 assist rate.
Following Wagner’s addition, Arkansas now sits with eight scholarship players on its roster.
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Former Kentucky guard DJ Wagner has committed to Arkansas out of the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Wagner is a former five-star prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.
His commitment is a significant development for the Razorbacks, who have benefited greatly since hiring coach John Calipari away from Kentucky earlier this offseason. Wagner is the third former Kentucky player to follow Calipari to Arkansas via the transfer portal.
In addition to Wagner, former Wildcats Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Theiro have also joined the Razorbacks.
In his lone campaign with the Wildcats, DJ Wagner started in 28 of his 29 appearances. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5% from the field and 29.9% from beyond the arc.
Wagner scored a career-high 28 points in Kentucky’s 118-82 win over Marshall on Nov. 24. The 6-foot-4 standout was extremely efficient in the blowout, shooting 10-14 from the floor. For his efforts, Wagner was named an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team selection and was a three-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree.
Wagner missed three games in early February due to injury, but came back strong, averaging 11 points in Kentucky’s final four games of the regular season. Wagner failed to score in Kentucky’s stunning loss against Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Even when Wagner battled injury during the season, Calipari was supportive of the freshman.
“They’ve done great,” John Calipari said. “My job is to help them walk through this. And at the end of the day, is I just want them being their best, and when I’m with them every day, I know what that looks like. But when they’re playing against other guys, they know what it looks like, too.
“DJ being hurt and sitting out two and a half weeks really affected him. He’s come back. He’s better. He’s back to where he was. He was the Freshmen of the Week four times, and then he took two-and-a-half weeks off and it’s taken him time.”
DJ Wagner played high school basketball at Camden (NJ), where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Wagner entered the transfer portal on April 15, a week after Calipari left Kentucky to take the reins at Arkansas. Every member of Wagner’s 2023 class at Kentucky either entered the transfer portal or declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after the season concluded.
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Posted on 5/26/24 at 9:09 pm to RazorHawg
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John Calipari added another familiar face to his Arkansas roster as former Kentucky guard DJ Wagner has officially committed to the Razorbacks. Sources confirmed the news of Wagner's decision to HawgSports on Sunday night.
Wagner played under Calipari last season at Kentucky where he made 28 starts and averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds across 29 games. He committed to Kentucky in November of 2022 as the No. 6 overall player and top-rated combo guard in the 2023 recruiting class, earning a spot as an McDonald's All-American.
The 6-3, 175-pound, Camden (N.J.) native entered the transfer portal back on April 15, just five days after Calipari left Kentucky to become the head coach at Arkansas. According to 247Sports, he is currently rated as the No. 2 available transfer point guard in the 2024 cycle and the No. 11 overall player.
Wagner was in Fayetteville on an official visit back on May 10-12, which was just his second official visit following his transfer portal entry. Former Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman hosted the talented guard on a visit to USC in mid-April. It was reported that Wagner could also potentially visit Florida, but that never happened.
The addition of Wagner gives the Razorbacks eight players on the roster for next season. That includes three incoming freshman — guard Boogie Fland, forward Karter Knox and forward Billy Richmond — to pair with four transfers — Kentucky forward Zvonimir Ivisic, Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo, Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis and Kentucky forward Adou Thiero.
While Calipari still has five scholarship roster spots open, recent comments on his 'Ways to Win' podcast suggest the Razorbacks may only add one or two more players for next season. Regardless, the Arkansas roster is pretty loaded with talent and Wagner gives them a veteran lead guard with experience in Calipari's system.
Here's what 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein had to say about Wagner's game in his most recent scouting report:
"Wagner made his mark in high school as an aggressive scoring guard who played in constant attack mode on both ends of the floor. He was an elite competitor, but played a high-volume style and had increasing questions about his shooting and ability to transition into more of a lead guard as his career went on.
Those questions only intensified this year at Kentucky as he seemed to lose his confidence and rhythm. He shot 29% from behind the arc and ranked in the 21st percentile as a spot-up shooter per Synergy Sports. While he put-up a better than two-to-one assist to turnover ratio, it came predominantly off the ball, and he was in just the 43rd percentile as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. As the season went on there were times when he looked noticeably reluctant to shoot, and yet over-eager to attack, all at the same time.
While he tends to get stuck in first-gear and could pick his spots more efficiently, he's nonetheless capable of getting paint touches and a better than average finisher for someone who is primarily under-the-rim. He still competes with a very high-motor on both ends, is equally aggressive defensively, and able to pressure the ball.
Moving forward, Wagner needs to learn to slow down at times, better vary his speeds, and be more efficient with his on-ball reps in order to justify more volume as a pick-and-roll playmaker. He may even benefit from more latitude in the mid-range area, where he often utilized a wide variety of pull-ups and floaters in high school, after attempting just 16 shots in that range all season at Kentucky."
Posted on 5/26/24 at 9:34 pm to RazorHawg
Man that was more drawn out than I wanted it to be but let’s freaking do this, Cal 
Posted on 5/26/24 at 9:54 pm to BallHawg10
Nice little pick me up on this long weekend!
Posted on 5/26/24 at 10:24 pm to RazorHawg
This article was written prior to the DJ Wagner news.
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Patience is wearing thin for the Arkansas fanbase, as the Razorbacks basketball team still has glaring needs ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft withdrawal date on May 29.
Fret not, as head coach John Calipari is shifting through the shadows behind the scenes to ensure the Hoop Hogs have one of the most competitive rosters in the country during the 2024-25 season.
Arkansas has already made appearances in preseason rankings despite only having seven scholarship players, though it helps when some of those are names like Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo and Boogie Fland.
The latest rumblings seem to indicate that Calipari is focused on adding 1-to-3 more contributors either from the NBA Draft withdrawal pool or the overseas market.
HawgBeat provides a recap with the latest intel, along with best-fit rankings of Arkansas' known priority targets:
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No. 1 - F Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
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Besides an experienced point guard, a forward capable of stretching the floor and initiating some offense is the biggest remaining need for the Razorbacks.
Hawkins is the unequivocal best fit, as the 6-foot-10, 225-pound senior averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season while shooting 45.1% from the field, 36.9% from beyond the arch and 79.2% from the charity stripe.
Still scheduled to meet with NBA teams this week, Hawkins has made it known that his main goal is to stay in the draft and forego his last year of collegiate eligibility. However, he'd likely earn a large NIL payday if he chose to return to college and Arkansas isn't scared of using its resources to get what it wants.
Should Hawkins delay his professional career by another year, Arkansas will be a major contender for his services. North Carolina was another program with interest, though that may me moot after the Tar Heels landed the commitment of transfer forward Ven Allen-Lubin.
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No. 2 - PG DJ Wagner, Kentucky
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Tick tock, Mr. Wagner. After visiting the Razorbacks two weeks ago, Wagner's recruitment has been at an apparent standstill. He hasn't taken any other known visits since then, and the connections to the Arkansas program are too hard to ignore.
In a world where experience and continuity are valuable, Wagner is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Hogs' roster construction. Without him, Arkansas would have to rely on someone like Fland to lead the way in only his freshman campaign.
For the Wildcats under Calipari last season, Wagner earned a spot on the All-SEC Freshman team after averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound transfer shot 40.5% from the field, 29.2% from beyond the arch and 76.6% from the charity stripe.
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No. 3 - F Jaylen Wells, Washington State
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When you think of a true NBA wing prototype player, Wells fits the mold nearly perfectly. Standing at 6-foot-8, 205-pounds, he has the size to hold his own on the perimeter and is a deadly sharpshooter as he made 41.7% of his shots from distance last season.
Wells ranked in the 99th percentile out of spot-up shooting and is the roster piece to elevate a team from darkhorse to a contender. Will an NBA team take a chance on him in the second round? Will he want to turn down massive NIL for a contract that will almost definitely pay him less?
If the answers to those two questions lead him to a college return, don't be surprised if Arkansas makes a push for his signature if the Hogs can't land Hawkins or others on this list.
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No. 4 - G Wooga Poplar, Miami
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Buzz around Poplar's recruitment with Arkansas had gone to the wayside in recent weeks, but a report from Jack Pilgrim of KSR stating that the Miami transfer is expected to visit Arkansas along with Kentucky and Oregon changed that.
A lights-out three-point shooter who has impressed at the G-League Combine, Poplar has been there and done that throughout his collegiate career with Final Four experience and a true scoring mentality.
The only reason Poplar isn't higher on this list is because there can only be one player with the ball in his hands. Assuming Wagner commits and plays the lead guard position and Davis works off the ball, that would leave a lot of mouths to feed if Poplar joined the fold as well.
Still, landing a player that averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in the ACC while shooting 38.5% from beyond the arch is something you can live with.
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No. 5 - G Egor Demin, Real Madrid
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Calipari is no stranger to recruiting overseas, as he already has one foreign player in big man Zvonimir Ivisic on the roster. Real Madrid versatile combo-wing Demin has picked up a lot of steam with the Hogs, and could potentially fit multiple needs at once.
Because of his reported 6-foot-9 size and playmaking abilities, Demin could realistically play anywhere from 1-to-4 on the court if needed. Viewed as a high-end 2025 NBA Draft prospect, Demin recently dropped a 19-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist performance in 28 minutes against Milan in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.
Illinois was once the perceived favorite to land Demin, but BYU and the Razorbacks are now the two known programs in contention for the do-it-all prospect.
Posted on 5/27/24 at 9:31 am to RazorHawg
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Kentucky transfer D.J. Wagner, a former top-five recruit, has committed to Arkansas, sources told ESPN.
Wagner becomes the sixth player or prospect to follow John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas. Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic also transferred from Lexington to Fayetteville, while recruits Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond flipped their commitments.
Calipari stunned the college basketball world in early April, when the Hall of Fame coach left Kentucky after 15 seasons to replace Eric Musselman at SEC rival Arkansas.
A 6-foot-4 guard from Camden, New Jersey, Wagner entered the portal in mid-April and had a quiet recruitment. He took only two visits, to USC and Arkansas.
The son of former high school phenom and NBA player Dajuan Wagner, D.J. Wagner was considered the top player in the 2023 class for much of his high school career.
He ended his high school career ranked No. 4 in the ESPN 100 and entered Kentucky with first-round NBA draft expectations. After a couple of early 20-point efforts against Saint Joseph's and Marshall, however, he was inconsistent on the offensive end.
He finished his freshman season averaging 9.9 points and 3.3 assists.
Wagner is now reunited with both coaches -- Calipari and Kenny Payne, now an assistant at Arkansas -- that recruited him heavily coming out of high school. Calipari had coached Wagner's father at Memphis, while Payne, then the head coach at Louisville, played with Wagner's grandfather Milt on Louisville's 1986 national championship team.
With the addition of Wagner, Arkansas will likely enter the 2024-25 season ranked in the top 15 nationally. Along with the Kentucky transfers and former commits, Calipari also landed two of the best players in the portal: Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis, the AAC Player of the Year, and Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo, an All-SEC selection.
Wagner's decision was first reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Posted on 5/27/24 at 10:43 pm to RazorHawg
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The U18 USA Basketball team will head to Buenos Aires, Argentina in one week to compete in the AmeriCup.
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USA Basketball Junior National U18 Team Finalists
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5-star PG Darius Acuff
6-2 | 175 | 17 y.o.
School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 15
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 7
Status: Uncommitted
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4-star SF Nate Ament
6-8 | 185 | 17 y.o.
School: Warrenton (VA) Highland School
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 10
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 15
Status: Uncommitted
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5-star SG Jasper Johnson
6-4 | 175 | 18 y.o.
School: Branson (MO) Link Academy
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 25
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10
Status: Uncommitted
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4-star C Malachi Moreno
6-11 | 210 | 17 y.o.
School: Georgetown (KY) Great Crossing High
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 20
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 39
Status: Uncommitted
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Five-Star Plus+ PF Caleb Wilson
6-8 | 205 | 17 y.o.
School: Atlanta (GA) Holy Innocents Episcopal
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 3
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 4
Status: Uncommitted
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While the emphasis in this setting is on being able to impact winning today, when it comes to sheer upside, Nate Ament has stood out with his size, fluidity, touch, and soft hands. He hasn't always been able to hold his line or finish the play, but at 6-foot-9 he has shown both shooting and creating potential.
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No. 4 ranked Darius Acuff got off to a slower start, but found his groove by the end of Friday morning's session. The fact that he's one of the most potent scoring and playmaking lead guards in the class is already well established, but in Colorado Springs it's also about impacting the game when the ball isn't in your hands, being efficient, and competitive defensively.
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The U18 USA Basketball team will head to Buenos Aires, Argentina in one week to compete in the AmeriCup.
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Darius Acuff - No. 4 in 2025 class (Uncommitted)
How did he make the cut? Acuff is one of the most potent scoring and playmaking guards in the class. He can create opportunities for himself and others on demand, he's physically strong, able to play through contact, and operates effectively in pick-and-roll action.
How can he make the team? Commit to the defensive end. Acuff made nice strides in this area through the first four sessions, but on a team that is likely going to press and play in the full court, the coaching staff will want to see he's fully committed to maximizing his tools on both ends.
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Nate Ament - No. 13 in 2025 class (Uncommitted)
How did he make the cut? Ament's upside is glaring. He's got real size. He covers the court fluidly. He's shown good hands, touch, and budding skill with glimpses of both being able to put the ball on the floor and space the floor to the three-point line with his shooting.
How can he make the team? Turn potential into production. No one doubts what he could become one day, but this team is being constructed to win gold in the next twenty days. That means playing through contact and finishing plays on both ends of the floor.
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Jasper Johnson - No. 10 in the 2025 class (Uncommitted)
How did he make the cut? Johnson is a microwave-type scorer who can put points on the board in bunches. He has an incredibly soft and natural touch, shot-making ability, and a skilled finishing package that includes running hooks, teardrops, and lots of craft.
How can he make the team? Impact the game when the ball isn't in his hands. With so much talent on the court, Johnson needs to make positive things happen even when he's not getting buckets.
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Malachi Moreno - No. 27 in the 2025 class (Uncommitted)
How did he make the cut? The 7-footer has shown well in this setting. He's been willing to bang in the post, flashed dexterity around the rim, and passing ability -- both from the post and even on the perimeter -- with a couple of impressive backdoor passes.
How can he make the team? It may be an uphill battle for Moreno to make the team given the quality of bigs here from the class of 2024, but matching their physicality in the lane will be the first order of business.
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Caleb Wilson - No. 6 in the 2025 class (Uncommitted)
How did he make the cut? Wilson has the tools to be one of the more versatile frontcourt defenders in the class. He can switch, fly around the court, make plays at the rim, and then start the break with his own dribble. All those defensive qualities could be very valuable for an up-tempo team.
How can he make the team? It's about finding his offensive niche, especially when the game slows down and is played in the half-court. With USA Basketball over the the next three weeks, Wilson will not be required to be a primary scorer.
Posted on 5/28/24 at 1:58 pm to RazorHawg
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USA Basketball Junior National U18 Team Final 12-man Roster Breakdown
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USA Basketball Junior National U18 Team
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5-star PG Darius Acuff
6-2 | 175 | 17 y.o.
School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 15
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 7
Status: Uncommitted
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4-star SF Nate Ament
6-8 | 185 | 17 y.o.
School: Warrenton (VA) Highland School
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 10
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 15
Status: Uncommitted
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5-star SG Jasper Johnson
6-4 | 175 | 18 y.o.
School: Branson (MO) Link Academy
2025 On3 150 Ranking: No. 25
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10
Status: Uncommitted
Posted on 5/28/24 at 2:00 pm to RazorHawg
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Texas-based guard Kayden Edwards is on the verge of moving into the top 100 in the 2025 Rivals150 on the back of an impressive spring that has garnered additional offers and added attention. The Duncanville High School star is nowhere near a commitment, however, as he’s just now starting to kick around the idea of official visits.
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ON SCHOOLS IN CONTACT AS OF LATE:
“I talked to coach [Ronnie] Brewer at Arkansas. He’s still there (under the new staff) and has told me they still want me there.
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ON WHAT HE’S LOOKING FOR IN A COLLEGE:
“I want something that is more than basketball but also a place that is getting me ready for the highest level – the NBA. I want a place that can prepare me for my dream.”
ON HOW HE DETERMINES WHICH SCHOOLS WILL BEST PREPARE HIM FOR THE NBA:
“I look at the plans they have – workout plans. I want them to know what’s good for me and my body, Also, if the coaches have put anyone in the league. I know it’s a lot to look into.”
ON HOW HE DESCRIBES HIS GAME:
“Quick, fast, electric three-level scorer. I finish at the rim and can score over guys.”
Posted on 5/29/24 at 1:44 am to RazorHawg
Does Duncanville grow basketball players?
Posted on 5/29/24 at 2:12 pm to pioneerbasketball
Posted on 5/29/24 at 2:22 pm to omahawg
Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here. Get ready for a Kentuckyesque non conference schedule.
Posted on 5/29/24 at 4:51 pm to omahawg
Jaxon Robinson staying in draft.
Posted on 5/29/24 at 8:05 pm to UltimateHog
MSG? We going to the NIT!!!
Posted on 5/29/24 at 10:55 pm to oklahogjr
Hawkins withdrew
Posted on 5/30/24 at 6:39 am to Woopigsooie20
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Hawkins withdrew
Whoa this is huge. A lot of folks thought he was gonna stay for sure.
Tea leaves say we have a good shot…
Posted on 5/30/24 at 7:53 am to Woopigsooie20
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Hawkins withdrew
Posted on 5/30/24 at 11:28 am to HogX
Posted on 5/30/24 at 1:15 pm to HogX
I have seen some say Hawkins is wanting 2 mil for his services. Somebody call the chicken man.
Posted on 5/30/24 at 3:08 pm to UltimateHog
I’d like to see Brazile at St. Johns, I keep up with them because of Pitino and his coaching could do Brazile some good, imo.
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