FAU transfer Johnell Davis commits to Arkansas, John Calipari

Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis committed to Arkansas and new coach John Calipari, according to Jeff Goodman.

The shooting guard spent four seasons with the Owls and steadily improved every year. Last year, Davis set career highs in 34 games.

Davis finished the season with 18.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, shot 48.3% from the floor and 41.4% from three-point range.

Playing for Florida Atlantic, Davis rose to stardom helping the Owls make the Final Four during the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He was also Conference USA’s 6th Player of the Year.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Davis was not ranked, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He played his HS basketball in Gary (Ind.) 21st Century Charter.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

Johnell Davis commits to John Calipari at Arkansas

In addition to Calipari landing Davis out of the portal, he added to his new Razorbacks’ staff. Former Louisville coach Kenny Payne is now on the bench as an assistant.

In his introduction, Calipari let the Arkansas faithful know that he’s not going to change the way he treats his players.

“I’m always gonna be a players’ first coach. I’m sorry. It’s about the players,” Calipari said to applause from the crowd in attendance. “I know for some reason people think you can’t really be a coach that wants to win if you’re about the players. No. You can do both. “Every decision I will make will be is this the best decision for these guys. Not me as a staff. Is it the best decision for them? When we’re doing things. How we’re doing things.

“You saw my team this year. We played totally different. Why? It was the best way for that team to play. We couldn’t guard as well as we needed to, but we could really score. But it was how they had to play. And all I can tell you is I won’t change that.”