The Arkansas Razorbacks basketball program has been relatively quiet recently, aside from adding a couple of frontcourt players through the transfer portal and confirming the return of several key players. The main question still looming is whether Karter Knox will return to college or remain in the NBA Draft. He has until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to make his final decision.
Amid this wait, another potential development has emerged: Terrion Burgess could be a new addition to Arkansas’ roster. According to Connor Goodson of HawgSports, Burgess has resurfaced as a player worth watching. A power forward from Benton, Arkansas, Burgess was once a near five-star recruit. Though his ranking has dropped to No. 143 in the 247Sports Composite for the 2025 class, he’s still one of the top unsigned high school prospects.
If Arkansas were to sign him, Burgess might not play immediately. He could serve as a depth piece—perhaps the 11th or 12th man—and possibly redshirt during his first year. This would allow him to develop behind the scenes, preparing for a more significant role in the future. He’d bring a higher ceiling than current reserve freshmen like Casmir Chavis, Jaden Karuletwa, and Ayden Kelly, who saw limited minutes last season.
For new head coach John Calipari, adding Burgess would make strategic sense. It would give him the top two in-state recruits for 2025—Burgess and Isaiah Sealy from Springdale—boosting local recruiting credibility after a season where injured walk-on Lawson Blake was the only homegrown player on the team.
Curtis Wilkerson of Inside Arkansas commented on The Pod at the Palace that landing Burgess would be a smart move. While not a headline-grabbing addition, it would show goodwill to in-state talent and potentially yield high rewards with minimal risk.
However, a source familiar with the situation suggested that this scenario is currently unlikely. Burgess appears more interested in other options, particularly the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), with Memphis, Wichita State, and Ole Miss also reportedly in the mix.
That group of schools—including an SEC program in Ole Miss and respected mid-majors like Wichita State and Memphis—would normally be expected for a player of Burgess’s caliber. Little Rock, though, stands out. Historically, a top-150 player choosing Little Rock over programs with greater national stature would have seemed far-fetched.
Still, Little Rock is not your average mid-major. It has demonstrated financial and institutional commitment to basketball that’s uncommon at its level. It was the first Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) school to opt into the House v. NCAA settlement, meaning it can pay players directly through revenue sharing. Without a football program siphoning resources, most of this money can go toward basketball. The team is also led by Darrell Walker, a former NBA head coach and a beloved figure in Arkansas basketball history.
Thanks to this backing, the Trojans have held onto several important players, including Johnathan Lawson—an All-OVC first-team pick and the brother of ex-Hog Chandler Lawson. Another returnee is Tuon Gatkek, the OVC’s Defensive Player of the Year, solidifying the frontcourt. Additionally, KK Robinson, a former Razorback who missed last season due to injury, is expected to rejoin the lineup. He previously shined in a Trojan uniform during the 2023-24 campaign.
KK’s younger brother, Kellen Robinson, is also committed to Little Rock. He ranks as the No. 3 player in Arkansas and recently led Bryant High School to a state championship win over Springdale and Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy.
This builds a competitive roster capable of challenging for the OVC’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid. For a player like Burgess, Little Rock could offer both a strong supporting cast and immediate playing time—something he might not find at bigger schools. The 6-foot-9 guard/forward hybrid has the size and skills to make an impact right away at the mid-major level.
If he were to excel there—perhaps even leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance—it could open the door for a future transfer to a Power 6 program. That’s a path more top recruits are taking, especially with the transfer portal and NIL rules reshaping college basketball. A growing number of players are choosing to build their resumes and increase their value at smaller schools before moving up the ladder.
Given Darrell Walker’s ongoing affection for the Razorbacks—evidenced by his recent support for retiring Darren McFadden’s number—it’s plausible he would assist Burgess in transferring to Fayetteville if the opportunity made sense down the road.
In today’s college basketball landscape, this route is far from unusual. Players frequently use mid-majors as stepping stones to Power 6 schools. For someone like Burgess, who hasn’t committed yet, taking a strategic approach to his development could yield better long-term results than jumping straight into a crowded rotation at a bigger school.
Should he choose Little Rock and one day reach the NBA, Burgess would join a small group of Trojans who have made the leap. That list includes:
Jim Lampley – 1 NBA game (1983, 5th round pick)
Myron Jackson – 8 NBA games (1986, 4th round)
Pete Myers – 377 NBA games (1986, 6th round)
Carlos Rogers – 298 NBA games (1994, 1st round, 11th overall)
Joe Stephens – 22 NBA games (undrafted)
Derek Fisher – 1,287 NBA games (1996, 1st round, 24th overall)
Shane Edwards – 2 NBA games (undrafted)
Rayjon Tucker – 39 NBA games (undrafted)
Markquis Nowell – 1 NBA game (undrafted)
Though it may once have been considered far-fetched, there is absolutely no shame in Terrion Burgess choosing a path that prioritizes growth, opportunity, and strategy over name-brand recognition. In fact, it could end up being the smartest move he ever makes.
