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Where Calipari stands on rebuilding the Arkansas basketball roster

Since John Calipari took over as head coach, the Razorbacks have landed a transfer and a four-star recruit from the 2024 class. Here's what we know.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari has been hitting the recruiting trail since his ceremonial introduction on April 10.

When he accepted the position, the four-time national coach of the year said his top priority was putting together a coaching staff and a roster. After Eric Musselman left to become the head coach at Southern California, the team was left with zero scholarship players.

Here's what we know about where Calipari stands on rebuilding the Razorbacks men's basketball roster.

Who has committed

Zvonimir Ivišić (Kentucky transfer | Forward)

The Croatia native announced his plans to follow Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas on April 15, becoming the first signee of the Calipari era. Ivišić, who has three years of eligibility remaining, missed 15 games last season but still averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

In his debut game against Georgia, he scored 13 points in 16 minutes, drained a trio of 3-pointers, and led the team with three blocks and five rebounds. 

Before coming to Kentucky, Ivišić played in the FIBA U20 European Championship for his home country of Croatia. He also played for two seasons in the Adriatic League for Montenegro's professional basketball club.

Karter Knox (2024 class | Forward)

The four-star forward out of Overtime Elite committed to Arkansas on Monday, and it was no surprise to anyone. Knox, a top-20 recruit in the 2024 class, was previously committed to Calipari at Kentucky.

Boogie Fland (2024 class | Guard)

Five-star guard Boogie Fland wrapped up his visit to Fayetteville on Thursday with a commitment to Arkansas. Fland, a product from Harlem (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac, was formerly a Kentucky signee before Calipari accepted the job with the Razorbacks. He is the third scholarship player and first four-star recruit to join the program since Calipari took over earlier this month.

A McDonald's All-American, Fland is the No. 19 overall prospect and top-ranked point guard in the 2024 class. He's also the No. 3 player in New York, according to On3Sports.

Fland averaged 19.3 points, 6.6 rebounds. and 3.6 assists in 30 games as a senior.

Billy Richmond (2024 class | Forward)

Richmond, another former Calipari Kentucky commit, visited Fayetteville on Thursday and is ranked as the No. 25 overall recruit in the 2024 class. Richmond made his commitment official the following day on Friday, April 26. The four-star prospect asked to be released from his national letter of intent when Calipari accepted the job with the Razorbacks.

Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee transfer | Forward)

Aidoo will visit Fayetteville and could be a tremendous addition to Calipari's Razorback squad. He was named to the 2024 SEC All-Defensive Team and was a second-team All-SEC selection last season, averaging 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while collecting 66 blocks. On3Sports lists Aidoo as the No. 40 overall player and the No. 7 center available in the transfer portal.

Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic transfer | Guard)

Davis committed to Calipari and Arkansas after reportedly visiting Fayetteville over the weekend. The 6-foot-4-inch guard is the 2024 co-American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the top player available in the transfer portal, according to On3Sports. He averaged 18.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. He also shot 48.3% from the floor and 41,4% from the three-point range. Davis has a career free-throw percentage of 84.5%.

Out of the race

Jayden Quintance (2024 class | Center)

Unlike Knox, Fland and Richmond, Quintance will not follow Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas. The five-star recruit and No. 9 player in the 2024 class is expected to sign with either Louisville, Memphis, or Arizona State.

Koby Brea (Dayton transfer | Guard)

Brea entered the transfer portal after spending the last four seasons at Dayton. He averaged 11.1 points, 1.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 33 games last season and recently reduced his list of potential landing spots to five programs— Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, UConn and Kentucky.

Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State transfer | Center)

Garrison still has a lot of eligibility after playing his freshman season at Oklahoma State last season. He visited with Calipari in Fayetteville on Sunday after appearing in all 32 games and averaging 7.5 pounds and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Cowboys. According to On3Sports, Garrison, the No. 44 overall player available in the transfer portal, committed to Kentucky on Tuesday.

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