Who Will Stick Around on Next Year’s Arkansas Basketball Roster

After one other run to the second weekend of the NCAA Match, the Arkansas basketball season formally got here to an finish with a loss to UConn within the Candy 16 on Thursday.

If historical past is any indication, Eric Musselman gained’t waste any time earlier than beginning to assemble his roster for subsequent season. A wizard with the switch portal, there’ll seemingly be one other crop of newcomers becoming a member of the Razorbacks this offseason.

Nevertheless, just one present participant — Kamani Johnson — is formally out of eligibility. With two five-star signees in Baye Fall and Layden Blocker, not less than some roster turnover must occur to make room for the second of these two freshmen.

To import transfers, which Musselman will virtually assuredly do, extra gamers must go away, both for the NBA Draft or to enter the switch portal themselves.

Right here’s a rundown of all 12 scholarship gamers with remaining eligibility, in addition to a case for why every might return to Arkansas basketball and why every might go away the crew…

(NOTE: Gamers are listed by common minutes performed this season, from most to least.)

Important Contributors for Arkansas Basketball

Anthony Black

STATS: 36 G/36 GS, 34.8 minutes, 12.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals

Why He May Return: We gained’t waste your time — it ain’t occurring.

Why He May Go away: A possible top-10 choose, Anthony Black will virtually definitely be declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. He lived as much as the hype that got here with being a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, beginning each recreation and taking part in extra minutes than some other freshman in UA historical past. Positive, there are points of his recreation that might stand to enhance, resembling his 3-point shot and propensity for turnovers, however Black confirmed a lot to grow to be a lottery choose and a uncommon one-and-done for the Razorbacks. ESPN’s newest mock draft initiatives him because the No. 10 general choose.

Ricky Council IV

STATS: 36 G/29 GS, 34.1 minutes, 16.1 factors, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals

Why He May Return: After being the AAC Sixth Man of the Yr at Wichita State final 12 months, Ricky Council IV was primarily a starter for the Razorbacks and did a pleasant job of filling a lead scoring function they desperately wanted with Nick Smith Jr. lacking a lot of the season. Nevertheless, his effectivity fell off fairly a bit in SEC play. After capturing 51.6% within the first 12 video games, Council shot simply 38.6% from the sphere over the ultimate 24 video games. He additionally shot simply 27.0% from past the arc and will stand to enhance his protection.

Why He May Go away: Council has elite athleticism that may translate to the NBA, as seen with a few of his high-flying dunks. Throw in his 6-foot-6 body and he ought to get drafted someplace, even together with his effectivity struggles. ESPN has him going No. 41 general, which is the center of the second spherical, however some mocks have him sneaking into the primary spherical. Though there are areas of his recreation that might enhance, there’s additionally an opportunity his inventory is as excessive because it’s going to get and it’d make sense to strike whereas the iron is sizzling.

Davonte Davis

STATS: 35 G/31 GS, 33.1 minutes, 10.9 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals

Why He May Return: If there was any query, the Razorbacks’ first two video games within the NCAA Match proved that Davonte Davis was the guts and soul of the 2022-23 crew. He did no matter Arkansas wanted — scoring, distributing, rebounding, protection, and so forth. — all through the season and, following the Kansas win, Eric Musselman mentioned he felt like Davis was his son. He introduced management to a crew with solely two returning gamers and will do the identical subsequent season. It’s additionally price noting that Davis is an in-state product and taking part in for the Razorbacks means so much to him — to not point out he has been fairly energetic with NIL alternatives.

Why He May Go away: There aren’t any mock drafts that embrace him, however Davis would virtually definitely have a possibility to play professionally someplace. On high of being a shutdown defender, he turned a wonderful 3-point shooter about halfway by means of the season, making 41.2% of his 4.6 makes an attempt over the ultimate 21 video games. That may presumably make him a fascinating addition for a crew abroad or within the G League. He’s additionally been in school for 3 years and could also be prepared to maneuver on.

Trevon Brazile

STATS: 9 G/0 GS, 27.0 minutes, 11.8 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals

Why He May Return: Trevon Brazile happening with a torn ACL within the ninth recreation of the season not solely had long-lasting ripple results for the Razorbacks, but in addition for himself on the subject of the NBA Draft. He was simply beginning to creep into the again finish of the primary spherical in a number of mocks when he obtained damage and was positioned to presumably climb even larger. Now, nevertheless, Brazile isn’t included in most two-round mocks. Plus, his timeline appears to point a return to highschool can be in his greatest curiosity, as he in all probability gained’t be capable of do a lot – or be remotely near full power – on the NBA Scouting Mix and wouldn’t be cleared to play within the NBA Summer time League. Brazile can be prepared in time for the school season, although, and will reassert himself as a first-rounder if he returns.

Why He May Go away: Assuming he comes again fantastic from the damage, Brazile has an NBA ability set. He’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2.5 wingspan and a 42.5-inch vertical. Couple that elite athleticism with a capability to shoot 3s and he’s precisely the type of participant NBA groups are in search of. If he confirmed sufficient for a crew to take an opportunity on him within the second spherical, it’d nonetheless be price it to go professional. Daniel Gafford, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams have confirmed you may nonetheless make a big impression within the NBA as a second-round choose.

(READ NEXT: Trevon Brazile reveals timeline for restoration in unique interview)

Nick Smith Jr.

STATS: 17 G/14 GS, 25.9 minutes, 12.5 factors, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Why He May Return: Regardless of making a number of “I’ll be prepared subsequent 12 months” feedback to reporters within the locker room after the loss to UConn, this can be very unlikely Nick Smith Jr. returns for a second 12 months with the Razorbacks.

Why He May Go away: Bobby Portis made related feedback after his last recreation and nonetheless entered the draft, and he was thought-about a mid-first-round choose. Even together with his struggles within the NCAA Match and damage considerations, Smith will virtually definitely be a lottery choose on this 12 months’s NBA Draft. Most mock drafts nonetheless have him going within the high 10, however even when he slips to No. 14, he’d nonetheless be assured to make about $8 million based mostly on final 12 months’s contracts. Positive, Smith might theoretically come again and assert himself as a top-3 choose, which is the place he was projected coming into the season and would probably double his assured cash, however his knee damage might additionally flare up and trigger him to fall even additional. It’s a danger most gamers gained’t, and possibly shouldn’t, take.

Jordan Walsh

STATS: 36 G/22 GS, 24.5 minutes, 7.1 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals

Why He May Return: Inconsistency was the story of Jordan Walsh’s freshman season. He had flashes of brilliance, but in addition struggled to remain on the ground due to foul hassle for big stretches of the 12 months. Walsh appeared to lack the arrogance to shoot the ball at instances and made solely 27.8% of his 3-pointers. The few instances he shot with confidence, although, that charge appeared to extend. If he can clear up his foul points whereas persevering with to play lockdown protection and acquire extra confidence offensively, Walsh has an awesome likelihood to evolve into the first-round choose he was projected to be popping out of highschool as a five-star recruit.

Why He May Go away: Walsh performed arguably his greatest basketball within the NCAA Match, even when his stat traces didn’t precisely bounce off the web page. He was an unimaginable plus-34 in 60 minutes towards Illinois and Kansas, showcasing his worth to profitable in a number of methods. His body (6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) and athleticism (46-inch vertical) already make him a fascinating prospect for NBA groups, so his play down the stretch could have proven sufficient for him to climb into the second spherical and — as talked about with Brazile — current Razorbacks like Gafford, Joe and Williams show second-rounders can carve out a job within the NBA.

Makhi Mitchell

STATS: 36 G/31 GS, 20.2 minutes, 7.0 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 blocks

Why He May Return: For a lot of the season, Makhi Mitchell was the Razorbacks’ beginning massive man. He wasn’t an enormous scoring menace, however he had excellent footwork down low and Arkansas preferred to go to him early in video games for a giant stretch of the 12 months. His greatest impression, although, was inside protection and rebounding. After two years of taking part in at Rhode Island, Mitchell may get pleasure from taking part in a second 12 months on the massive stage that Arkansas can present. On the flip facet, the Razorbacks may profit from having a veteran presence within the entrance court docket to assist incoming five-star freshman Baye Fall and whomever else they add within the switch portal.

Why He May Go away: Mitchell is a real senior at his third college, after beginning out at Maryland and transferring to Rhode Island. The one motive he’s capable of return is due to the eligibility reduction granted by the NCAA in response to the pandemic. Nevertheless, 4 years in school could also be greater than sufficient and he might choose to maneuver on. He’s not an NBA prospect, however he will surely have an opportunity to earn a living taking part in professionally abroad. Except he obtained a level from Arkansas and may grow to be a graduate switch, transferring a 3rd time is unlikely as a result of the NCAA is allegedly going to clamp down on multiple-transfer gamers. If he returns, Mitchell won’t preserve his beginning function relying on the well being of Brazile and who else Musselman provides, so he will not be inquisitive about taking up a backup function as a fifth-year tremendous senior.

Position Gamers for Arkansas Basketball

Makhel Mitchell

STATS: 30 G/9 GS, 12.8 minutes, 3.6 factors, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

Why He May Return: Contemplating they’ve caught collectively at each different cease of their profession, from Maryland to Rhode Island to Arkansas, Makhel Mitchell would seemingly stick round if his twin brother, Makhi, additionally chooses to return. On high of that, he can be one other rim protector within the entrance court docket, as he averaged 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes. That might make him a situational weapon on the bench for the Razorbacks.

Why He May Go away: If his brother finally ends up taking up a backup function, that’d put Makhel Mitchell at third on the depth chart at greatest. Taking part in even fewer minutes as a fifth-year tremendous senior won’t curiosity him, so he might choose to maneuver on, as nicely. His measurement would seemingly give him a possibility to play professionally someplace abroad.

Jalen Graham

STATS: 31 G/0 GS, 9.4 minutes, 5.2 factors, 2.3 rebounds

Why He May Return: A few of it got here in rubbish time, however a case could possibly be made that Jalen Graham was Arkansas’ greatest offensive participant. In actual fact, his 22.1 factors per 40 minutes have been the perfect mark on the crew, forward of each Nick Smith Jr. (19.5) and Ricky Council IV (18.9). In sure matchups, Graham was significantly deadly – highlighted by a 26-point effort towards Florida. In a vacuum, that type of scoring capacity might have a job on subsequent 12 months’s crew. Plus, the brand new NCAA guidelines that minimize down on second (and extra) transfers might go away him no alternative however to return.

Why He May Go away: Sadly for Graham, this isn’t soccer and he has to additionally play protection. That was a continuing battle for the massive man. There have been additionally instances he didn’t rebound or defend the rim to the extent Musselman anticipated. All of that led to Graham consistently staying in Musselman’s doghouse. Even after video games he performed nicely, the veteran coach would virtually at all times circle again to the areas through which he struggled throughout postgame press conferences. It will shock nobody if he chooses to maneuver on. Nevertheless, just like the Mitchells, he’d seemingly must graduate from Arkansas to be able to acquire instant eligibility if he chooses to switch for a second time.

Joseph Pinion

STATS: 26 G/0 GS, 5.7 minutes, 2.4 factors, 0.6 rebounds

Why He May Return: Joseph Pinion possesses a ability that only a few gamers have through the Eric Musselman period, as he’s deadly capturing from past the arc. Regardless of by no means actually getting constant taking part in time, he knocked down 38.2% of his 3-point makes an attempt as a freshman. He’s additionally an in-state product, coming to Arkansas from Morrilton, so he looks like an ideal instance of somebody who sticks round and continues to develop over a number of years. If he can enhance his protection and increase his recreation past being only a shooter, he could possibly be harmful sooner or later.

Why He May Go away: Skilled basketball isn’t within the image for Joseph Pinion at this level, however the switch portal looms as a vacation spot for gamers sad with their taking part in time or in search of one other alternative. If he takes that route, he’d be instantly eligible elsewhere – and would in all probability be closely pursued due to his capturing capacity.

Bench Gamers for Arkansas Basketball

Derrian Ford

STATS: 21 G/0 GS, 3.8 minutes, 0.7 factors, 0.5 rebounds

Why He May Return: A four-star recruit out of Magnolia, Ford is one other in-state recruit who grew up cheering for the Razorbacks. Once more, that may seemingly make him a candidate to stay round and develop over a number of years. The few instances he did get in, Ford at all times hustled – whatever the rating – and was aggressive, so he has the mentality you’re in search of. It’s additionally price noting that he was the primary of three lesser-used freshmen to come back off the bench within the blowout loss to UConn.

Why He May Go away: Ford was on the very finish of the bench for Arkansas, not often taking part in any significant minutes as a freshman. If he doesn’t really feel like there’s a transparent path to extra taking part in time subsequent 12 months, he might resolve to enter the switch portal and discover someplace else with extra out there minutes. In any case, he was closely recruited popping out of highschool, selecting up gives from the likes of Baylor, LSU and plenty of others.

Barry Dunning Jr.

STATS: 16 G/1 GS, 3.2 minutes, 0.3 factors, 0.2 rebounds

Why He May Return: Early within the season, it regarded like Barry Dunning Jr. was the closest of the three lesser-used freshmen to actual taking part in time. He performed significant minutes on the Maui Invitational after which began the Razorbacks’ first recreation again, towards Troy, however stayed within the recreation for only one minute. The coaches clearly preferred what they’d seen from him at follow and in restricted motion, in order that could possibly be one thing they construct on his sophomore 12 months.

Why He May Go away: Because the season progressed, although, Dunning infrequently noticed the ground. He appeared in solely 5 SEC video games, taking part in eight complete minutes — far fewer than Pinion (14 video games, 98 minutes) and Ford (11 video games, 35 minutes). He was additionally the final wholesome scholarship participant off the bench within the blowout towards UConn, checking in about two minutes after Pinion and Ford and solely a minute earlier than the walk-ons. It will not be stunning if he opted to enter the switch portal and pursue taking part in time elsewhere.

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