The Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team surpassed expectations in John Calipari’s first year, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. With that success in the rearview, Calipari and the Razorbacks are now turning their attention to the college basketball transfer portal to strengthen their roster.
Arkansas is set to lose several key players this offseason, including Boogie Fland, Johnell Davis, and Jonas Aidoo. While the incoming recruiting class, headlined by five-star guards Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff, is strong, Calipari’s frontcourt still needs improvement.
Thanks to one of the largest NIL budgets in college basketball, the Razorbacks are in a strong position to land Florida State power forward Malique Ewin. In his latest transfer portal predictions, Pete Nakos of On3.com forecasts that Ewin will choose Arkansas.
“Since entering the transfer portal, Florida State transfer Malique Ewin has become one of Arkansas’ primary targets. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound power forward averaged 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this season, while shooting an impressive 59.6% from the field. With John Calipari anticipating roster changes, securing Ewin has become Arkansas’ top priority, and the momentum seems to be shifting in the Razorbacks’ favor.”
The college basketball transfer portal is loaded with talented players who could make an immediate impact, and the Razorbacks are in a strong position to add depth to their roster. With an emphasis on bolstering the frontcourt, Arkansas’ coaching staff is zeroing in on a key target.
Malique Ewin, ranked 24th in the On3 transfer portal rankings, is a 6-foot-10 forward and the ninth-best power forward in the class. He has an NIL valuation of $1.5 million, which aligns well with Arkansas’ NIL budget for the 2025-’26 roster.
Ewin entered Florida State as the third-best junior college prospect in 2024, according to 247 Sports. In his first season with the Seminoles, he excelled in a starting role, showing significant growth after a limited impact at Ole Miss in 2022-’23.
This past season, Ewin posted nine games with double-digit rebounds, including two performances where he grabbed 15 or more. As an offensive rebounder, he was especially effective, securing at least five offensive boards in seven games. Ewin also proved to be a consistent scorer, reaching double digits in 24 games. If he joins Arkansas, he could be a double-double threat, adding valuable depth to the Razorbacks’ frontcourt.
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