A new powerhouse is emerging in the SEC, quickly climbing the ranks as one of the nation’s premier college basketball programs.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, now under the leadership of John Calipari, just wrapped up their first season of a new era. Calipari took the reins of the men’s basketball program in 2024 and wasted no time making an impact.
In his debut season, he guided the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16, notching impressive victories over Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks in the opening round and Rick Pitino’s St. John’s squad in the second.
As Arkansas begins reshaping its roster for another NCAA Tournament run, Calipari offered a confident glimpse into what’s ahead for the program.
“Kid’s coming back,” he said with a knowing nod. “Mhmmm.”
Calipari’s confident outlook wasn’t just conveyed through words—it was backed by numbers. On the official Arkansas Razorbacks social media account, the program emphasized the strength of its returning core, spotlighting four key players: Trevon Brazile, Jaden Karuletwa, Bill Richmond III, and DJ Wagner.
The post read:
“AS OF THIS VERY MOMENT”
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Most returners since the 2019–20 season
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Returning over 40% of scoring
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Returning over 45% of minutes
It’s a clear signal: stability, experience, and momentum are on Arkansas’ side heading into Year Two under Calipari.
The Arkansas Razorbacks were powered by a talented group of former blue-chip recruits during the 2024-25 season, with standout performances from Boogie Fland, Adou Thiero, and Karter Knox.
Leading the charge was Thiero, who finished the season as the team’s top scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game. He also contributed significantly on the boards with 5.8 rebounds per game and added 1.9 assists per game.
Fland and Knox, both coming off their freshman seasons under Calipari, are poised for even greater contributions as they continue to develop.
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