Arkansas

SEC men’s basketball media day: Calipari’s pull trumped all in Davis’ Arkansas decision | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2024

SEC men’s basketball media day: Calipari’s pull trumped all in Davis’ Arkansas decision |
Arkansas Democrat Gazette

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Johnell Davis, who transferred from Florida Atlantic to the University of Arkansas basketball team last spring, said he was contacted by too many programs to name and narrowed his choices to three.

Arkansas obviously was one of the final three teams Davis considered, and he said Michigan was another.

The third? Davis is keeping that to himself, but he offered a clue.

“It was too close to home,” Davis, who is from Gary, Ind., said Tuesday at SEC men’s basketball media day of his third choice. “So I (marked) that one out.

“Where I came from, me being close to home is distraction. I just didn’t need all the distractions.”

Michigan was in the mix because Dusty May, the Wolverines’ new coach, was Davis’ coach at FAU.

But Davis’ close connection to May — who led the Owls to the 2023 Final Four — couldn’t trump new Razorbacks Coach John Calipari.

“I feel like (playing for) Cal speaks for itself,” Davis said. “Once I got that call, it was either go to the league (NBA) or go to Arkansas.”

Davis entered his name into the NBA Draft, then withdrew it in late May to play for Calipari, who was Kentucky’s coach the previous 15 seasons and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

“Cal’s a Hall of Fame coach, and he wins everywhere he goes,” Davis said. “I’m excited to play for him.”

The 6-4 Davis, who said he played primarily power forward for FAU but figures to be a shooting guard for Arkansas, averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season and was among the top rated players in the transfer portal after starring for the Owls of the American Athletic Conference.

“I’m excited about the jump to the SEC from the American,” Davis said. “Just to play more talent.”

Davis has been limited in recent practices because of a wrist injury, which he said he suffered taking a fall.

“Everything is feeling good,” Davis said. “I’m just taking an abundance of caution.

“I’ve been feeling good, just getting back healthy. … Just trying to be cautious.

“I’m just taking it day by day trying to get better.”

Junior forward Adou Thiero, another Arkansas representative at media day, also has been limited in practice because of undisclosed injury.

Thiero politely declined to discuss what is his specific injury.

Arkansas senior forward Jonas Aidoo, a transfer from Tennessee who was an All-SEC pick last season, also has been limited in practice because of an undisclosed injury.

Calipari has stressed he’s holding out the “banged up” players now so they’ll be ready when the season starts.

“It’s early,” Calipari said after public practice in Pine Bluff last Sunday. “I’m not panicked.”

Calipari smiled.

“I’ve got a foot on the panic button, but I don’t have two on the panic button,” he said. “So we’ll get healthy and we’ll see where we are.”

Boateng excitement

Missouri’s top freshman is Annor Boateng, a 6-6 guard from Little Rock Central. He was ranked the No. 26 player nationally by 247Sports, No. 33 by ESPN and No. 34 by Rivals.

“I’m excited about Annor Boateng, two-time Gatorade Player of the Year,” Tigers Coach Dennis Gates said. “But what I’m looking at is he has a tremendous background.

“A young man that is a 4.0 student, young man who played in the band, plays the saxophone. His talents off the court are tremendous.”

Boateng averaged 18.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals as a senior at Central last season. He’s Missouri’s highest-ranked freshman signee since Michael Porter Jr. in 2017.

“Now, when you look at him as a basketball player, he’s a tremendous young man, multi-talented, straight-line driver, strong, physical,” Gates. “Also a kid that can get his own shot.

“His athleticism in this conference is very important. I look for him to make an impact.”

Gates added it can be tough to predict how a freshman will play.

“Practice is one thing, a game is another,” Gates said. “We don’t know until we get into games where Annor is, but from what I see he’s one of the most talented guys that I’ve coached as a freshman, and I’m excited that he chose Missouri.”

Mark at Texas

Tramon Mark, who averaged a team-high 16.2 points at Arkansas last season, is set to finish his college career at Texas.

Mark, a 6-5 extra-year senior guard, transferred to Texas after playing one season Arkansas. He played his first three seasons at Houston.

“Tramon brings a lot to the team on and off the court,” Texas senior forward Kadin Shedrick said. “First of all, on the court, he’s a really talented player. Incredible shot-maker. Defensively, he’s outstanding. He came from Houston, and they’re really big on defense there.

“Then off the court, he’s just a great guy, and that’s what we’re all about in our locker room. Just having a bunch of great guys.

“He just adds a lot to the team in both areas.”

Texas freshman guard Tre Johnson said as a college newcomer, he’s been learning from Mark.

“I’ve been learning a lot recently,” Johnson said. “Just his pace and his knowledge and understanding of the game. Just picking his brain and things that he’s seen.

“Because he’s been playing for a while now. He’s seen lots of different defense and different things that have been thrown at him, and he’s handled it different ways.

“So I feel like he can be a person that can give me insight on what to do or not to do. What to look for and stuff like that.”

Texas Coach Rodney Terry said he watched Mark — who is from Dickinson, Texas — play throughout high school.

“So I’ve seen him for a very, very long time,” Terry said. “He’s a youngster who has tremendous size, athleticism.

“He can go create his own shot. He can create for his teammates. Very good high IQ basketball player.

“He’s had a chance to compete, be coached by some really good coaches.”

Mark started on a Final Four team at Houston in 2021 for Coach Kelvin Sampson and played for Coach Musselman at Arkansas last season. Musselman is now at Southern Cal and is a former NBA coach.

“So he’s been coached very well,” Terry said. “He’s a guy that we look to bring a lot of experience, a guy that plays on both ends of the floor.

“He’s a really good offensive player, but he’s also a really good defensive player, as well. You talk about a guy that we like to think that’s going to be a great two-way player for us.”

Mark and Texas are scheduled to play Arkansas twice this season.

“At first you wouldn’t really hear him say much,” Johnson said of Mark’s quiet nature around his new teammates. “Now you hear him talking, laughing, making jokes, all of it. It’s been great.”

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Arkansas

DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a week’s worth of summer fun in Arkansas

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a week’s worth of summer fun in Arkansas

Bismarck, Ark. (KATV) — If your idea of a perfect summer getaway includes a clear lake, plenty of elbow room and enough activities to keep the whole family busy for days, DeGray Lake might be calling your name.

In the run-up to America’s 250th birthday, DeGray Lake is being highlighted as Arkansas’ only resort state park — a place designed to be a one-stop vacation spot where guests can settle in and stay put.

“We are Arkansas’s only resort state park, and with that, we have enough to keep a guest and their family busy for really a whole week,” a park representative said.

The park’s setup is meant to keep everything in one place, from the lodge and pool to the restaurant and swim beach. Visitors can also find trails, four stables, golf, disc golf, fling golf and interpretive programs held every day during the summertime.

“So really, the whole package is designed so that people, they would never leave, never need to leave the park while they’re here on vacation, they can be here all week,” the representative said. “We’ve got your food, we’ve got your lodging, we’ve got plenty to keep you busy and having a good time. That’s what makes us Arkansas’s only resort state park.”

Water sports are a big summertime draw, and the park also offers a range of ways to stay overnight — whether you want comfort, something in-between, or a more traditional camping experience.

“If you like getting in the outdoors, but you don’t like staying in the outdoors, you can come stay in our comfy lot,” the representative said, noting the lodge has 96 rooms. For a “step up from camping,” the park also has three yurts available, described as a more glamorous option with bunk beds, a sky dome and a door that locks. Campsites are also available, ranging from RV hookups to simple tent sites.

For anglers and lake lovers, the park representative said the fishing is great and the water is clear, with options that include line fishing, spear fishing and scuba diving.

“It’s a beautiful lake,” the representative said. “We’re nestled right here in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.”

The park is described as a little off the beaten path — but that’s part of the charm.

“I tell people all the time it’s kind of like the best kept secret, because you look out there at that lake, not too busy,” the representative said.

For more information on planning a visit, click here.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has joined a new national artificial intelligence initiative that launched Thursday, June 25.

RAISE US, started by former Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce is a nonpartisan national organization that will partner with governors, employers, workers and training organizations to help the workforce transition to an AI economy.

“As artificial intelligence transforms America’s economy, we have one clear message: technology should empower people, not replace them. By leveraging our Arkansas LAUNCH initiative, and with the resources and expertise provided by RAISE US, Arkansas will turn that mission into reality. We want the Natural State to be a leader on education, workforce training, and up-skilling, and this new partnership gives us the tools we need to build a model for the entire nation.”

The organization will design and pilot incentives to retrain workers, new approaches to support job transitions, and training models tied to employer demand.

RAISE US launches with more than two dozen American companies and philanthropies and initial state partnerships in Connecticut, Maryland and Utah.

“America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one,” Raimondo, who will serve as CEO of RAISE US, said.

“If we build the best AI systems in the world and leave millions of Americans behind, we won’t have won anything; we’ll have automated our own decline. I believe AI will create new jobs and industries over time, but the transition could be disruptive, and it’s already underway. We shouldn’t fearmonger, but we can’t pretend our training and worker support systems are ready either. It’s time for innovative and practical solutions. This moment demands ambition, urgency, and creativity. We’ve assembled the country’s top companies, best economists, and bipartisan governors at a scale rarely seen — all to advance new ideas and incentives, pilot them with governors and business, and scale what works.”

Governor Sanders is partnering with RAISE US to support Arkansas LAUNCH, an AI-powered career navigation platform that connects students and jobseekers to personalized learning and employer-linked career pathways.

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