Things have not slowed at all for Arkansas basketball since the Razorbacks fell in the Elite Eight last weekend. Roster turnover was expected, and several dominos have already fallen in just over a week. As a result, the 2022-23 roster for the Hogs is starting to take shape.
Two players off this past season’s roster are off to the transfer portal, one has declared for the NBA Draft and two newcomers are en route with the recent commitment of five-star point guard Anthony Black and signing of talented former Missouri forward Trevon Brazile.
Add that pair to an already loaded 2022 early signing class, and Arkansas has the looks of a surefire top-five team headed into next season. The high school haul also includes five-star, No. 6 ranked guard Nick Smith (North Little Rock, Ark.), five-star, No. 18 ranked Jordan Walsh (Cedar Hill, Texas), four-star, No. 57 ranked combo guard Derrian Ford (Magnolia, Ark.), four-star, No. 85 ranked small forward Barry Dunning (Mobile, Ala.) and four-star, No. 88 ranked small forward Joseph Pinion (Morrilton, Ark.).
More roster movement is anticipated in the coming days and weeks. As things continue to unfold, let’s get caught up with an updated look at the timeline of changes this offseason, examine what needs exist from a roster building standpoint and breakdown the projected scholarship distribution for the 2022-23 season.
TIMELINE
- 3/28: IN – Five-star point guard Anthony Black commits to Arkansas
- 3/29: OUT – Freshman wing Chance Moore enters transfer portal
- 3/30: IN – Former Missouri forward Trevon Brazile transfers to Arkansas
- 4/1: OUT: Sophomore guard KK Robinson enters transfer portal
- 4/3: OUT: Senior guard JD Notae hires agent, declares for NBA Draft
NEEDS AND ROSTER SPOTS AVAILABLE
With Robinson and Notae’s recent decisions, Arkansas has made its way back down to the NCAA limit of 13 scholarship players. With that being said, there is still a better than average chance for more addition and subtraction in the weeks ahead. While it is unfair to speculate on who may or may not opt to leave the program, it is worth noting there are still some Hogs with decisions to make.
Au’Diese Toney has played four seasons of college basketball, but has one year of eligibility remaining since the 2020-21 season for all intents and purposes became a freebie due to the pandemic. He, along with sophomore forward Jaylin Williams, whose name has started to appear on NBA Mock Draft boards, could return, opt to go pro, or declare for the draft while maintaining eligibility. Time will tell.
With Notae off to begin his professional career, there’s an argument to be made Arkansas would benefit from adding a veteran ball-handler to the backcourt to supplement the youngsters. After adding length, athleticism and rim protection to the front court in Brazile, the Hogs could look to add more perimeter shooting pop with a stretch-forward or versatile wing-type, but much will depend on the ultimate decisions of Toney and Williams.
PROJECTED SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTION (13)
Walk-ons (2)
- Lawson Blake | 6-10, 225 | 3 years remaining
- Cade Arbogast | 6-3, 170 | 2 years remaining *was on scholarship Spring ’22
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