Arkansas forward Adou Thiero declares for 2025 NBA Draft

On Tuesday, Arkansas forward Adou Thiero announced he is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. Along with his announcement, Thiero posted a heartfelt statement on social media.

“I want to start by giving all glory to God for blessing me with the talent, strength, and opportunities to get to this point,” Thiero said. “This decision comes after much thought and reflection, and I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had throughout my journey. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the University of Arkansas, Coach Cal, staff, GA’s, manager’s, teammates, fans, and all of Razorback Nation for their unwavering support and belief in me. The memories we’ve created and the lessons I’ve learned here will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I want to also thank my family & friends for being there for me and supporting me every step of the way. Especially my mom and dad with how much they have sacrificed to put my siblings and I in better positions to be successful. After a lot of hardwork, dedication, and preparation I am ready to take the next step in my career, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads. With that being said, I’d like to announce I am officially declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft!”

Thiero followed head coach John Calipari to Arkansas last offseason after spending the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Kentucky. In his lone campaign in Fayetteville, Thiero averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 25.6% from beyond the arc.

Thiero missed eight games at the end of Arkansas’ season due to a knee injury. Thus, he was sidelined during Arkansas’ unexpected run to the Sweet Sixteen. Thiero attempted to play in Arkansas’ season-ending 85-83 loss to Texas Tech but ultimately only saw five minutes of action before returning to the bench.

Despite Thiero’s late-season injury, experts are confident Thiero will find a home at the next level. In ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, Adou Thiero is projected to be the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

“Thiero is one of the best athletes in the draft class and a consistent competitor, but he will be a project for his next team,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote. “He needs to improve his ball skills and shooting as well as defensive positioning and tendencies. A team such as the Nets, who hold four first-round picks, could bring him along as a high-energy role player.”