The Razorbacks pulled it off. With Monday’s commitment of 4-star power forward Ethan Henderson, the Hogs have now taken commitments from all five of the Arkansas Hawks 16U AAU team. I don’t know that this has never happened anywhere in the country, but it’s certainly a rarity.
Henderson is one of the two really high-profile 2018 prospects on the team. He is rated a top 100 prospect on 247, Rivals, and ESPN, with a rating as high as the 37th-ranked overall prospect on 247. Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, LSU, Missouri, Arizona State and others had extended early offers to Henderson.
I have decided to commit to Arkansas #WPS
— E· (@kvng44) September 5, 2016
Mike Anderson and his staff deserve a ton of credit for taking advantage of one of the deepest runs of in-state talent I can ever remember seeing in Arkansas (Reggie Perry currently lives in Georgia, but grew up in Little Rock until a few years ago). The Razorbacks have secured eight commitments between the 2017, ‘18, and ‘19 classes, most of whom are or are expected to be among the top 100 national prospects in their respective classes.
It’s certainly the highest-rated group of talent Anderson has assembled since he’s been at Arkansas. The Razorbacks have signed good players over the last ten years, but never this many strung together. The black cloud hanging over the successful 2015 season was knowing the Hogs didn’t have high profile commitments to keep the success going. If the Hogs can get back to being a relevant program this year as many expect, fans can have more confidence knowing who’s already planning on coming in next. A potential front line of Henderson, Perry, and 2017 commit Daniel Gafford playing together is extremely enticing.