Following the conclusion of the Arkansas men’s basketball season, head coach John Calipari and his team are actively exploring the NCAA transfer portal to strengthen their roster. With a recent Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Razorbacks are aiming to capitalize on their momentum by recruiting top-tier talent from the portal.
Players Contacted by Arkansas
Yaxel Lendeborg (Alabama-Birmingham)
Lendeborg became a highly sought-after transfer immediately upon entering the portal. The forward had an impressive season with Alabama-Birmingham, averaging 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds while maintaining a 52% shooting accuracy. Alongside Arkansas, prestigious programs like Kentucky, Auburn, BYU, and Michigan have also expressed interest. Lendeborg has also declared his intent to test the waters of the NBA Draft.
Keyshawn Hall (UCF)
Hall played a crucial role in UCF’s season, where the team was close to an NCAA Tournament bid. Averaging 18.8 points and 9.1 rebounds, Hall demonstrated his offensive capabilities. While he is already in discussions with Kansas and Auburn through virtual meetings, he is set to meet with Arkansas and LSU to explore his options further.
Tyrone Riley (San Francisco)
Riley had a solid freshman season, posting averages of 9.6 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field. His late-season surge, scoring in double digits in five of his final six games, has garnered attention from Indiana, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Michigan, and Florida, among others. Arkansas is also reportedly interested in adding Riley to their roster.
Ryan Forrest (North Carolina A&T)
Forrest, an Arkansas native, showcased his scoring prowess with North Carolina A&T by averaging 19.1 points per game. During the Aggies’ matchup against Arkansas on December 21, he recorded 19 points, although his team suffered a 95-67 defeat. Forrest, along with teammate and fellow Arkansas native Landon Glasper, was a key offensive piece for the struggling North Carolina A&T squad, which finished the season with a 7-25 record.
Marquel Sutton (Omaha)
The Summit League Player of the Year, Sutton led Omaha to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. He posted averages of 18.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, playing a vital role in his team’s regular season and tournament title victories. Despite Omaha’s early exit in the NCAA Tournament, Sutton has drawn interest from several programs and has already made a visit to Kansas State. With one year of eligibility left, he remains a valuable transfer target.
Nick Pringle (South Carolina)
Pringle is a seasoned SEC player with extensive experience, having reached the Final Four with Alabama before transferring to South Carolina. As a starter for the Gamecocks, he contributed 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Notably, he scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in South Carolina’s win over Arkansas on March 1. With one year of eligibility remaining, Pringle is on the radar of multiple programs, including Arkansas.
Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State)
Wilkerson, another Arkansas native, had a standout season in Conference USA, leading Sam Houston State in scoring with 20.5 points per game. He was highly efficient from the field, shooting over 47%, including an impressive 44.5% from beyond the arc. Although his team ended the season with a 13-19 record, Wilkerson’s individual performance has attracted interest from several major programs, including Kentucky, Duke, Alabama, and Louisville.
Abdi Bashir (Monmouth)
Bashir was the top scorer in the Coastal Athletic Conference, averaging 20.1 points per game. His ability to produce high-scoring performances has caught the attention of numerous programs. Interestingly, his brother, Abdul Bashir, plays for Auburn, which is among the SEC schools interested in recruiting him. Kentucky and Alabama have also reportedly reached out.
Owen Freeman (Iowa)
Freeman, regarded as one of the top big men in the portal, became available following Iowa’s decision to part ways with head coach Fran McCaffery. He had a strong season, averaging 16.7 points while shooting 63% from the field. Despite interest from several programs, Freeman made an early decision and committed to Creighton on March 28.
Obi Agbim (Wyoming)
Agbim played a key role in Wyoming’s offense, taking 28% of the team’s shots under coach Sundance Wicks. He averaged 17.6 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 46.9% from the field and an impressive 43.7% from three-point range. His standout season has resulted in a long list of suitors. Ultimately, Agbim decided to commit to Baylor on March 31.
Daylin Swain (Xavier)
Swain played an integral part in Xavier’s NCAA Tournament run, despite the team facing multiple injury setbacks. He averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field. Reports indicate that Swain has scheduled a visit to Arkansas, along with visits to Texas and Kentucky. However, he committed to Texas on April 1.
Morez Johnson (Illinois)
Johnson had a strong freshman year for Illinois, posting averages of 7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 64% from the field. He played against Arkansas during the Thanksgiving tournament, contributing 6 points and 4 rebounds. A former four-star high school recruit, Johnson narrowed his final choices to Arkansas, Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky. On April 1, he committed to Michigan.
The Razorbacks are making significant efforts in the transfer portal, aiming to bolster their roster with experienced and talented players. As more prospects continue to emerge, Arkansas remains an active participant in securing top talent to build on their recent success.
