Knox returns as Coach Cal's roster takes shape

FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari has gotten some good news concerning the 2025-26 basketball team with the announcement that freshman forward Karter Knox will return for another season at Arkansas.
Knox, 6-6, 220, had entered his name for the 2025 NBA Draft, but instead chose to return to Arkansas. Knox was being projected as a second-round pick. As a true freshman at Arkansas, Knox averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.6 steal and 0.5 blocks per outing. Knox shot 46.2% from the floor, 80.2 at the free throw line and 35.0 from beyond the arc.
Another former Razorback, point guard Boogie Fland, 6-2, 175, opted to withdraw from the draft as well. Fland entered the transfer portal and has transferred to Florida.
Knox's return leaves Arkansas with 10 scholarship players this next season. Junior forward Adou Thiero, 6-8, 220, topped the Hogs with 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per outing. The draft projections for him are late first round or early second-mid second round.

The other returning Razorbacks are guard D.J. Wagner, 6-4, 195, forward Billy Richmond III, 6-5, 205, and forward Trevon Brazile, 6-10, 230.
Arkansas has added two players from the transfer portal. Both are bigs. The Hogs added Florida State's Malique Ewin, 6-11, 230, and South Carolina's Nick Pringle, 6-10, 220. Ewin averaged 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steal and 0.8 block per game. Pringle averaged 9.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocks.
The signees are Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy guard Darius Acuff, 6-2, 180, Atlanta (Ga.) Overtime Elite guard Meleek Thomas, 6-3, 181, Springdale swingman Isaiah Sealy, 6-7, 194, and Lebanon forward Krim Rtail, 6-8, 210.
In a recent recruiting addition, Arkansas landed Little Rock Christian Class of 2026 four-star shooting guard JJ Andrews, 6-6, 220. Andrews is considered the top prospect in the state in 2026. He's the son of former Arkansas great offensive tackle Shawn Andrews.