Arkansas Basketball: Post-Summer Projected Depth Chart

Folks are gearing up for football season with fall camp underway in Fayetteville, but it is never too early for an Arkansas basketball post-summer projected depth chart.

John Calipari inherited an entirely empty cupboard upon his arrival on April 10, but he wasted no time in putting together a roster that has the pieces on paper to compete at the top of a loaded SEC in 2024-25.

The Hoop Hogs have a unique roster build with a clear nine-man rotation already identified and fleshed out with depth pieces on the periphery.

Time will tell how the final pecking order shakes out between now and opening night at Bud Walton Arena, but here is Inside Arkansas’ first edition of the projected depth chart for the Razorbacks:

Point Guard

Starter: DJ Wagner (6-4, 195, So)

Next man up: Boogie Fland (6-2, 175, Fr)

The debate starts right away in the backcourt with Wagner and Fland each bringing key attributes to the table and both expected to be major contributors for Arkansas.

Wagner is the more proven commodity with a year of SEC experience under his belt, and while he fell short of lofty expectations last season, averaging 10 points and 3.3 assists per game as a true frosh is nothing to scoff at. 

Fland arrives with a decorated resume as a five-star, McDonald’s All-American who profiles as a ready-made playmaker and someone Arkansas will rely on to provide consistency and volume as a three-point shooter.

Calipari has zero reservations when it comes to handing the keys to a freshman out of the gates, which bodes well for Fland on the surface. In fairness, though, he did exactly that with Wagner last season. If he started him over a pair of eventual lottery picks at Kentucky, why would things change a few months later in Fayetteville?

The main thing to monitor is Wagner’s health as he continues to work his way back to 100% following a nagging ankle injury sustained last season.

Shooting Guard

Starter: Johnell Davis (6-4, 205, Sr)

Next man up: Karter Knox (6-6, 225, Fr)

The biggest no-brainer on the depth chart is putting Nelly Davis in Sharpie at the two. Arguably the top transfer in the portal this offseason, a likely preseason All-American and a veteran go-to guard with Final Four experience, Davis projects as a focal point in the backcourt for Arkansas.

Perhaps the more interesting development to monitor here will be who fills the minutes at the position when Davis is off the floor because there does not appear to be a plug-and-play answer. 

Could Knox slide up in a jumbo lineup that featured Thiero, Brazile and Aidoo? Could Wagner or Fland thrive at times playing off the ball?

Wing

Starter: Karter Knox (6-6, 225, Fr)

Next man up: Billy Richmond (6-5, 205, Fr)/Adou Thiero (6-8, 220, Jr)

Arkansas could go a few different directions on the wing, but we are starting with Knox in our projections because it feels negligent to predict John Calipari to deploy a freshman-free starting lineup.

Aside from that, it feels like Knox may be flying under the radar as a big-time piece to the puzzle. Sources inside the practice facility have come away highly impressed with Knox during summer workouts as he has trimmed and chiseled his frame and emphasized improved shot selection.

If ever a five-star prospect were an under-the-radar player, Billy Richmond would likely fit the bill. It seems as if Richmond is in nearly every highlight put out on social media. He’s a ready-made defender, slasher and above-the-rim finisher. If he can find consistency with the jumper, he will have a compelling case to gobble up minutes on the wing.

Power Forward

Starter: Adou Thiero (6-8, 220, Jr)

Next man up: Trevon Brazile (6-10, 220, Jr)

Both Adou Thiero and Trevon Brazile have received high-praise from Calipari on the improvements they have made during summer workouts. Honestly, Arkansas could go either way here.

The popular prevailing thought on Thiero has been that the jumbo-guard might be most effective as a 4-3 rather than a 3-4. Regardless, his overall versatility makes him something of a Swiss Army knife for Calipari to deploy how he sees fit based on matchups. 

Thiero is in rarieifed air when it comes to his ability to be a switchable defender who can hold his own in guarding every position on the floor. A gifted athlete who can put it on the floor, thrive as an off-ball cutter and impact the game on the glass, his ceiling as a future draft pick hinges on making a leap as a perimeter shooting threat.

Of course, Arkansas would not be hurting if it chose to go with its lone returner, Trevon Brazile. The junior forward will look to rebuild his once sky-high draft stock in his second year removed from an ACL tear and brings much-needed rim protection and floor spacing to the table.

Brazile is going to play big minutes for the Razorbacks this season whether he starts or subs. He played the best basketball of his career in a sixth-man role in 2022-23 and could be an experienced and capable focal point in the second unit on this roster. Brazile will also need to be able to cover minutes at the 5 as the only line of defense behind the team’s only two traditional centers.

Center

Starter: Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 240, Sr)

Next man up: Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 235, So)

Arkansas will boast arguably one of the most formidable 1-2 punches in the paint the country has to offer in 2024-25, and the duo of Jonas Aidoo and Zvonimir Ivisic compliment each other very well.

In Aidoo, the Razorbacks have a veteran, proven All-SEC center who was one of the most improved players in the country a season ago in Knoxville. In Big Z, the Hogs have a uniquely versatile talent primed for a breakout of his own.

Aidoo will serve as a defensive anchor and team leader fresh off an Elite Eight run with Tennessee. He will be among the top centers in the league entering the season alongside Auburn’s Johni Broome and Alabama’s Cliff Omoyuri.

Ivisic offers a fun change of pace with massive upside who can stretch the floor as a shooter, is a plus passer at his position and has a future first-round pick ceiling if he makes a leap in the strength department and grows more comfortable in defensive rotations with a full summer and preseason of development under his belt.