Arkansas
Calipari, Ark. add second top-10 recruit for ’25
Five-star prospect Meleek Thomas committed Monday to Arkansas, giving coach John Calipari and the Razorbacks their second top-10 recruit in the 2025 class.
Arkansas is now the only program in the country with multiple top-10 commits already in the fold, with Thomas, No. 9 in the ESPN 100 and the No. 2 shooting guard, joining Darius Acuff (No. 8/No.1 point guard).
Thomas chose the Razorbacks over hometown Pittsburgh, while UConn also had previously recruited Thomas and was on his final list.
“Everyone I spoke with was so positive on Coach Cal,” Thomas told ESPN. “He has touched so many lives with his guys becoming NBA players and so many others. He and the staff stayed in contact with both me and my family the whole time. I am big on family, and Coach Cal is a warm-hearted person who built a great relationship with both me and my family.”
Arkansas made a strong push down the stretch of Thomas’ recruitment to become the clear leader, with the Razorbacks’ new system a key aspect in his decision.
“Their play style was a separating factor,” Thomas said. “Coach Cal holds himself accountable and his players accountable. I am the type that wants to know the truth so I can learn and grow. They will have a lot of guys who can score, and I am comfortable coming in and playing defense right away.
“The crowds and energy for the program is exciting, and I want to be part of it.”
Thomas is a 6-foot-4 guard from Pittsburgh who is currently playing in the Overtime Elite program. He was one of the top scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring, ranking ninth with 20.3 points per game. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting just under 34% from 3-point range. In six games with the New Heights Lightning at the Nike Peach Jam in July, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting better than 37% from 3.
Thomas has a scorer’s mentality but also is capable of coming up with timely assists. He has a thin frame with decent quickness and speed, and is especially effective in transition, either leading the break or finishing the play. He is aggressive but confident with the ball in his hands, not rushing to get to his spot on the floor. Thomas can play both guard positions and has made strides operating in ball-screen situations.
Arkansas now has two of the elite guards in the 2025 class, with Thomas joining forces with Acuff in Fayetteville. Acuff, the top-ranked point guard in the country, committed to the Razorbacks in July. The two of them are enough to put Arkansas near the top of the 2025 recruiting class rankings — but the Razorbacks also are making a strong push for No. 5-ranked prospect Caleb Wilson.
Arkansas
Legislators OK Arkansas college’s request for lawmaker to serve as part-time interim director of Hope venue | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Michael R. Wickline
Mike Wickline covers state politics, and he has covered the state Legislature for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since November 2000. He previously spent several years covering the Idaho Legislature for the Lewiston Morning Tribune.
Arkansas
OPINION | JOHN BRUMMETT: Reasons to be skeptical on Arkansas’ PBS claims | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
John Brummett
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
Arkansas
Arkansas basketball guard Karter Knox probable to face South Carolina
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas basketball sophomore Karter Knox is probable to play against South Carolina, according to the SEC Availability Report released on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
John Calipari said Knox suffered a hip pointer injury during the No. 17 Razorbacks (12-4, 2-1 SEC) 95-73 loss to Auburn over the weekend. Arkansas returns to action against the Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Calipari said he didn’t know the exact moment when Knox was hurt against Auburn, but it occurred during the first period as Knox did not play after halftime. He finished the night with zero points in seven minutes.
During his weekly radio show on Monday, Jan. 12, Calipari confirmed Knox had not practiced since the loss to Auburn.
This is not the first time Knox has dealt with an injury this season. He missed the opening game of the year with a toe sprain. The second-year guard is averaging 8.6 points and five rebounds while shooting a team-best 43.5% from 3-point range.
If Knox can play, he would get the chance to go against his older brother for the first time in their respective college careers. Kobe Knox is a redshirt senior at South Carolina after transferring from South Florida before the season.
If something changes before tipoff and Karter is sidelined, one of Billy Richmond III or Meleek Thomas will start against the Gamecocks.
Richmond would be a seamless replacement on the defensive end, although he is not as good of an outside shooter. Richmond is averaging 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Thomas would be the aggressive pick on offense. The five-star freshman is Arkansas’ second-leading scorer with 15.4 points per game.
The biggest question is whether Calipari would go deeper into his bench to replace Knox in Arkansas’ eight-man rotation. Isaiah Sealy has been the Hogs’ ninth man this season, but he’s only averaging 8.9 minutes and has appeared in four games since the beginning of December.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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