With the early signing period right around the corner, things are heating up on the recruiting trail for John Calipari and the Razorbacks. Here is a look at the latest on the Arkansas Basketball 2025 Recruiting Big Board:
Who Is In?
Darius Acuff (6-2, 175, PG) — COMMITTED
- On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 9 overall, No. 1 PG
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Latest: After announcing his pledge in late-July, Acuff remains the lone commitment, for now, in Arkansas’ 2025 class, leaving the point guard position in Fayetteville in good hands for the future. Acuff was recently back on campus with top backcourt target Meleek Thomas for a practice and the football win over Tennessee.
You Might Be Interested In: What is Arkansas getting in Darius Acuff?
Meleek Thomas (6-3, 175, SG) – COMMITTED
- On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 8 overall, No. 2 SG
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Latest: Thomas announced his commitment to Calipari and the Razorbacks on Monday, Nov. 11 over a list of finalists that also included UConn and Pitt. With Thomas on board alongside Acuff, Arkansas is done in the backcourt for the high school class and will turn its attention towards landing a wing and forward to round things out.
Who Is Next?
Caleb Wilson (6-9, 195, PF)
- On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 5 overall, No. 2 PF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Competition: Kentucky
- The Latest: Arkansas went from the perceived frontrunner over the summer to seemingly needing to make up ground as Wilson’s well-traveled visit tour featured stops everywhere but Fayetteville. No sooner than predictions starting rolling in for Kentucky, Wilson finally announced his plans to take an official to Arkansas this weekend. No sooner than excitement started to build, he postponed said visit. Rumors are swirling Calipari is making a push to have him on campus this weekend before the early signing period ends. We will believe it when we see it, but if he makes it to Fayetteville, things get very interesting with an Arkansas-Kentucky battle for his commitment.
Chris Cenac (6-10, 210, PF)
- On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 7 overall, No. 4 PF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Competition: LSU, Tennessee, Houston
- The Latest: Arkansas has really ramped up its pursuit of Cenac in recent weeks, visiting him at Link Academy and getting him to Fayetteville for an official a few weekends ago. The Razorbacks survived Cenac’s trip to Baton Rouge where home state LSU has long been viewed as a top contender. Tennessee and Houston still lurk, but Arkansas has a real shot as Cenac’s recruitment enters its final stages.
Who Is Left?
Nate Ament (6-9, 185, SF)
- On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 4 overall, No. 2 PF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Competition: Duke, Tennessee, Louisville, Texas, Notre Dame, Kansas State
- The Latest: Ament is one of the few top targets in 2025 who has not released any sort of list cut of finalists. He was also remained adamant that he plans on announcing his commitment after the season during the late signing period. Duke has felt like a potential leader but continues to fill out its class with Shelton Henderson looming as next at his position. Arkansas has quietly been gaining momentum, Calipari was out to visit Ament in person recently and the next step is getting him on campus for a visit. Are the Razorbacks willing to play the long game for the potential of landing one of the nation’s best in the end?
Shon Abaev (6-7, 185, SF)
- On3 Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 29 overall, No. 8 SF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Competition: Auburn, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Oregon
- The Latest: Abaev has taken official visit to each of his finalists. Arkansas got to the party a little late, officially offering Abaev on Sept. 18, but Calipari and the Razorbacks quickly made an impression and had him on campus for a visit in October. Our hunch is that Arkansas has a real shot to get across the finish line in this recruitment if it goes all in and pushes for a commitment. The caveat is it feels unlikely the Razorbacks could land both Abaev and Ament. The current line of thinking is Abaev, like Ament, could wait until the late signing period to commit. Could it be a first to pop for Arkansas?
Who Is In The Backyard?
Isaiah Sealy (6-7, 195, SF)
- On3 Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 72 overall, No. 15 SF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Latest: Arkansas re-offered Sealy in July after Calipari took over at the helm and the Springdale native was on campus for the exhibition with Kansas. He recently included the Razorbacks in a final four that includes Ole Miss, Cal and Boston College, and has now announced his commitment is coming Saturday, Nov. 16. Calipari is no stranger to adding high-upside, instate 4-stars to his classes (Travis Perry, Reed Sheppard, Dontaie Allen, Derek Willis). While he obviously recruits at a high level on the national scale, Cal has been on record saying if an instate player checks the boxes, he will pursue as hard as anyone.
Who Could Be A Year Ahead Of Schedule?
Miikka Muurinen (6-10, 200, PF)
- On3 Industry Ranking (Class of ’26): 5-star, No. 5 overall, No. 1 PF
- The Highlights: HERE
- The Latest: Very few prospects burst onto the scene and left as strong of an impression as Muurinen, a uniquely-talented 6-10 forward originally from Finland, who made waves as one of the most efficient players on the 16U EYBL with Brad Beal Elite. Muurinen is currently in the ’26 class but is a legitimate re-class candidate to 2025. He has already taken an official visit to Arkansas and has developed a strong early relationship with Cal and his staff. Duke and Michigan are among those who have also earned visits. At the least, this is a name to know and one to watch closely if he ultimately opts to reclassify.