John Calipari made an instant impact in his first season at Arkansas, guiding the Razorbacks to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After a storied tenure at Kentucky—where he amassed 410 wins—Calipari now sets his sights on building a title-contending program in Fayetteville.
Arkansas hasn’t been to the Final Four since 1995, the year after claiming its only national championship. With momentum building and a devoted fan base behind him, Calipari is assembling a roster designed to compete in the SEC gauntlet during the 2025–26 season.
A major highlight from Arkansas’ top-tier 2025 recruiting class came this past weekend. Five-star point guard Darius Acuff Jr. turned heads at the Iverson Classic, erupting for 32 points and dishing out 11 assists on his way to being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
The Iverson Classic—hosted at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia—is a premier showcase for the nation’s elite high school talent and is presented by Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.
Darius Acuff Jr., a dynamic and explosive guard, capped off his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, following two standout seasons at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan.
His impressive résumé includes a dominant performance at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he represented Team USA. Acuff averaged 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and four assists per game, earning tournament MVP honors as the U.S. captured the gold medal.
In addition to securing Acuff and assembling a top-tier freshman class, head coach John Calipari has been active in the transfer portal to add depth and experience to the Razorbacks’ roster.
Among the key additions is 6-foot-10 forward Malique Ewin from Florida State, who brings much-needed size to the frontcourt. Arkansas also landed Nick Pringle, a physical presence in the paint who previously played for SEC rival South Carolina.
With a blend of elite young talent and seasoned transfers, Arkansas appears ready to take another major step forward in year two under Calipari’s leadership.
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