John Calipari raves about Arkansas players on roster so far

John Calipari has seven players set to join his first roster at Arkansas next season. However, he’s having to build it in a way that is a little different than his past ones while at Kentucky.

Calipari discussed what his current team of ‘Hogs look like during a media availability in Little Rock at the ONE Razorback Roadshow. Due to the coaching change as well as the state of college basketball, the Razorbacks had to go into the transfer portal for players. That’s why he’s glad to have the four additions they do have so far to pair with their three freshmen.

“Yeah, I’m excited,” said Calipari. “I mean, look. The game has changed in that you got 25 and 26 year olds playing. So where I would have roster full of freshmen? You can have freshmen but you just can’t have a roster full.”

“Having (Johnell Davis) and Jonas (Aidoo) be the first two was really big for us. Having Adou (Thiero), having (Zvonimir Ivisic). Hopefully one more that has done this.”

Davis and Aidoo compared to Thiero and Ivisic are significant for different reasons. All four are in the Top-110 of On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. Each are also in the Top-25 at their respective positions.

With that said, Davis from FAU and Aidoo from Tennessee are incredibly valuable as Top-10 transfers. Davis is the No. 3 overall transfer and No. 1 SG while Aidoo is at No. 10 as the No. 2 center.

Where Thiero and Ivisic make up for that, though, is their continuity with Calipari at Kentucky. Thiero spent the past two seasons in Lexington and averaged five points with 3.6 rebounds in 45 games. As for Ivisic, his lone season with the Wildcats was a limited one but he still posted 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over his 15 appearances.

Now, that quartet will join the trio of freshmen that have re-committed to Calipari. They make up the No. 2 class in the nation with three four-star prospects from On3’s 2024 Industry Top Basketball Recruits with Boogie Fland (No. 18, No. 1 PG), Karter Knox (No. 22, No. 8 SF), and Billy Richmond (No. 26, No. 9 SF).

Not only are they a highly-rated group but have several connections to his career as Cal reminded them.

“Billy, Karter, and Boogie? I mean Boogie was one of the best point guards, if not the best, in the country, won the state twice,” said Calipari. “Karter? I coached his brother, Kevin (Knox). Adou? I coached his dad! Billy Richmond? I coached his dad!”

Calipari is always going to have a talented team and looks to have another so far at Arkansas. The question now is what he fills out the rest of the roster with and how they all come together before tipoff in Fayetteville.