Arkansas

HawgBeat – Timeline of Arkansas commits under John Calipari

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2024

HawgBeat – Timeline of Arkansas commits under John Calipari

It’s been 22 days since John Calipari was named head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and while the news was slow to start, it’s started to snowball and gain more speed with each passing day.

When Calipari was officially hired on April 10, there were zero scholarship players on Arkansas’ roster and zero coming in through the high school ranks.

“You can say rebuild, there may not be a roster,” Calipari said during his introductory press conference. “We’ve got work to do and the only thing that I want to tell you is I’m not that guy that has a magic wand. That’s not who I am. I’m the grinder that comes everyday.”

In relatively short order, Calipari has used the transfer portal and high school ranks to give fans a clearer picture of what the team will look like heading into the 2024-2025 season.

With the news constantly coming fast, it can be hard to keep up with it all. Here’s a timeline of when the newest Razorbacks made their commitments.

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Zvonimir Ivisic — April 15

Kentucky transfer Zvonimir Ivisic. (Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports)

The first domino to fall for Arkansas was also its tallest. Zvonimir Ivisic — also known as Big Z — played in the back half of the 2023-2024 season for Kentucky after being declared eligible by the NCAA on Jan. 20.

After Calipari left, Ivisic entered the transfer portal and committed to the Razorbacks on April 15.

Ivisic is a Croatian native and averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 57.7% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arch and 77.3% from the charity stripe in just 15 games.

KenPom shows Ivisic had a 63.5 effective field goal percentage, a 66.5 true shooting percentage, a 10.5 offensive rebounding percentage, a 19.1 defensive rebounding, a 11.8 block percentage and an offensive rating of 116.9.

Karter Knox — April 22

Four-star forward Karter Knox. (Overtime Elite)

Seven days isn’t all that long, but it felt like an eternity for Arkansas fans champing at the bit for more players to fill out the roster. Thankfully they didn’t have to wait longer, as four-star forward Karter Knox announced he had committed to Arkansas on April 22.

Knox was the first high school prospect to commit to Arkansas under the Calipari regime, and was previously signed to Kentucky before reopening his recruitment following Cal’s departure.

During his senior campaign with the Overtime Elite, Knox averaged 23.1 points, 2.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 17 regular season games and he shot 43.9% from the field, 34.0% from beyond the arch and 63.2% from the charity stripe.

Calipari’s bond to the Knox family runs deep, as he coached Kevin Knox II — Karter’s older brother — during the 2017-18 season for Kentucky. That year, Kevin played in 37 games and was one of the top freshmen in the country before he was selected ninth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Boogie Fland — April 25

Five-star point guard Boogie Fland. (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

The days between commitments for the Hogs grew shorter the longer Calipari was in Razorback red. Five-star guard Boogie Fland announced his decision to commit to the Razorbacks on April 25, just three days after Knox went public with his decision.

Another high school holdover for Calipari from Kentucky, Fland requested a release from his NLI and promptly took a visit to Arkansas on April 24, and sealed the deal less than 24 hours after.

As a senior for Archbishop Stepinac High School in New York, Fland averaged 19.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Fland also played in both the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoops Summit. In the McDonald’s All-American Game on April 2, he scored 17 points and added five rebounds and three assists in 22:02 minutes.

At the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon, Fland scored nine points on 50% shooting (4-of-8) in 17 minutes. He also had two rebounds and one assist.

Billy Richmond — April 26

Four-star wing Billy Richmond was the third and likely final high school prospect to commit to Arkansas after requesting release from his NLI at Kentucky, and was on a visit to Arkansas the same time as Fland.

Richmond announced his commitment a day after Fland did, on April 26. Richmond’s decision is arguably the least surprising of the bunch, as his father, also named Billy, played for Calipari while he was the head coach at Memphis in the early 2000s.

“The reason I picked Kentucky is because (there’s) a great coaching staff, (John) Calipari, he always keep it real with me,” Richmond said in an interview with The Athletic after his commitment to Kentucky. “That’s a big reason.”

Jonas Aidoo — April 29

Tennessee transfer big Jonas Aidoo. (Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tennessee transfer big man Jonas Aidoo was the first commitment out of the transfer portal not to come from Kentucky. He called the Hogs on Monday after taking visits to both Arkansas and Baylor in recent days.

Last season for the Volunteers, Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while making 51.5% of his shots from the field. The AP First-Team All-SEC selection also averaged 1.8 blocks and 1.0 assists per game last season.

Aidoo is no stranger to Bud Walton Arena, as he was a part of the Tennessee team that blew out the Razorbacks last season. He went off in that game and finished with 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting and 12 rebounds, helping the Volunteers to a 92-63 win.

Johnell Davis — April 30

FAU transfer Johnell Davis (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

After taking a secret visit to Fayetteville over the weekend, the latest splash out of the transfer portal is Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis, who signed with Arkansas on Wednesday.

Davis was a part of the Florida Atlantic team that made a run to the Final Four in 2022-2023, and put himself on the national radar with four straight double-digit performances against Memphis (12 points), Fairleigh Dickinson (29 points, 12 rebounds), Tennessee (15 points) and Kansas State (13 points, eight rebounds, six assists).

During the 2023-2024 season, Davis averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season for the Owls.

With another seven scholarships remaining on the basketball team, there will certainly be more news and it likely will come fast. Stay tuned to HawgBeat for the most up-to-date coverage of Arkansas basketball.

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Arkansas

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Published

6 hours ago

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Arkansas

Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports

Published

17 hours ago

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Arkansas

Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.

Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.

“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”

The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.

“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.

With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.

“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”

“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”

Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.

About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.

About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

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