Razorbacks basketball recruiting heating up

Eric Musselman’s first as the program’s head coach, Arkansas basketball will host their annual Red-White Game on Saturday at Barnhill Arena.

Scheduled to begin at 3:00PM CT, the event is free to the public.

While this event will give fans their first prolonged look at this year’s roster, there will also be seven known recruits in attendance. Among these seven, four are forwards or centers and the remaining three are guards.

Beginning with the backcourt, Sherwood, Arkansas 2022 four-star shooting guard Nick Smith Jr. is the highest-rated of the group. Receiving an offer from the Razorbacks on June 29, he previously visited Fayetteville on August 6. Ranking among the top-15 shooting guards in the cycle, the staff has done a nice job of building a relationship with Smith early.

Another in-state 2022 guard, Jonesboro’s Quion Williams will also be on hand. A two-sport athlete, Williams also plays wide receiver for the Hurricane. At nearly 6-foot-3, he has shown promise as a combo guard and has plenty of time to refine his game.

Decommitting from Oklahoma State on October 1, the Razorbacks now hold three of the four “Crystal Ball” predictions for 2020 Jacksonville, Arkansas four-star point guard Davonte Davis. The No. 16 point guard in the class, Davis would give Musselman a strong ball-handler to build around entering year two of his tenure.

Transitioning to the big men, 2021 Atlanta, Texas four-star center Daimion Collins will be present. Standing 6-foot-8, Collins is very lean at just 190 pounds. Holding an offer from SEC rival Alabama, as well as Big 12 contenders Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, Collins’ recruitment will be fascinating to watch unfold.

A possible teammate of Davis’ in 2020, Fort Smith, Arkansas four-star center Jaylin Williams will be taking a look at campus, too. The No. 1 player in the state, the Hogs hold Williams’ lone “Crystal Ball” projection. A strong rebounder who runs the floor well, Williams’ offensive game still has another level to go to but he has flashed good shooting touch for a 6-foot-9 young man.

One of Davis’ current Jacksonville teammates, 2021 small forward Ryan Maxwell, and 2022 North Little Rock small forward Kel’el Ware are the final two visitors.

Attending Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Elite Camp on August 25, Ware is a name to watch. Only a sophomore, he is already roughly 6-foot-9, 185 pounds and has shown legitimate bounce. Pearl and Musselman have already shown serious interest; expect Alabama head coach Nate Oats to follow suit.