Razorback Basketball: What I’ve been hearing regarding transfers, recruits

It’s been a very exhausting process this offseason. The transfer portal opened as soon as March Madness began. Eric Musselman and his staff pulled double duty recruiting and game planning for a few weeks.

There’s nothing wrong with the Musselman approach when it comes to targeting transfers. He’s thrived off of veteran players going back to his Nevada teams in the Mountain West Conference. Obviously, the Martin twins are a couple of highly talented guards to put the Wolfpack on the map and eventually to the NBA. The exposure of the twins helped Musselman move onto Arkansas and do the same thing but at a higher level.

Razorback Basketball has thrived off transfers during the first four seasons. Guys like JD Notae, Jimmy Whitt, Stanley Umude, Justin Smith, Jalen Tate, Au’Diese Toney, Chris Lykes, Ricky Council, Trevon Brazile, Jalen Graham and Makhi Mitchell have all made an impact. They had confidence that Musselman could help shape them for the professional ranks.

The bus doesn’t slow down, it doesn’t stop for anybody. He always stays ahead of the game.

Could another transfer be in play?

Although Arkansas has one of the best transfer classes already there is still a few moves to watch unfold over the next few weeks.

When Grant Nelson entered the transfer portal after entering the NBA Draft many presumed he would possibly consider staying at the college ranks for a senior year.

The North Dakota State forward (6’11 235 pounds) had a lightning fast time of 9.99 seconds in the pro lane agility test. Nelson’s time was the third fastest in combine history.

Should Nelson decide to return to school and remain in the transfer portal, he is the third best prospect behind Hunter Dickinson and Ke’lel Ware.

There has already been plenty of interest in the college ranks for Nelson as Kentucky, Alabama, Gonzaga, Creighton, Kansas, Villanova, Baylor, Houston and more have contacted the versatile forward.

An addition of Nelson would give the Razorbacks a true five-out offense if he and Brazile are in the same lineup.

A Hero’s Return?

The wait on Davonte “Devo” Davis is quite an interesting one. Last week, Davis made a surprise call in to a sports radio show in Little Rock, (Ark.) that a final decision on his future would be made in “a few weeks.”

The Razorback star didn’t receive an invite to neither the NBA or G-League Combine’s. However, working his way to being picked up by the developmental league isn’t out of the picture just yet, per source.

However, a return to Arkansas could be in the making for next season with his scholarship still available. The Jacksonville, (Ark.) native made huge leaps as not only a leader but playmaker on both ends of the court for the Hogs this year.

Future consensus five star showing out

Recruiting is beginning to heat up a bit as well for the 2024 class. Annor Boateng’s stock is skyrocketing so far this summer. He usually plays for the Arkansas Hawks but made his Nike circuit debut with Team Griffen this past weekend scoring 22 points and 7 rebounds.

Sources tell me it’s not all about basketball for the Arkansas native. Academics are very important to him and his family as he is a 4.0 student.

Boateng received a recent offer from Georgia Tech. While Arkansas and Auburn have heavily recruited him since the jump.

Holland notes

Former Texas commit and Duncanville, (Texas) star forward, Ron Holland, has yet to announce a commitment for his next stop after reopening his recruitment 20 days ago.

UCLA was considered a finalist for the services of the top overall player in the country the first go around. But, Arkansas has seemed to be the only college  program in play at this time.

According to several sources, Holland is a Razorback lean with one person telling me he’s 99-percent sure he’ll be a Razorback. Another has told me he’s 95-percent confident but the G-League could be a route he pursues.

Another Natural State five star?

Benton (Ark.) forward, Terrian Burgess (6’8 200 pounds) is a 2025 prospect. The sophomore had a tremendous sophomore season and is currently the 17th rated player in the country with 247sports.

Burgess currently holds offers from Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Auburn, Texas Tech, TCU and more. He is definitely one to keep an eye on for what he decides to do. The Natural State product has received interest from the G-League, according to a source.