Musselman Proves Why It's Worth Risk to Become Razorback

Value of platform, experience, PR job during NBA combine by Arkansas coach can't be calculated

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
May 17, 2023 6:44 PM EDT
Original:
May 17, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – There have been questions over the past month as to why a player would risk having to leave after a season by coming to Arkansas as a freshman. However, on Wednesday afternoon, Eric Musselman proved exactly why it's worth the risk.

Musselman has been everywhere this past week or so. He's popped up at the NBA playoffs to watch former Razorback Moses Moody, he was on television getting interviewed during an Anaheim Angels game against the Texas Rangers, and this morning he caught a pre-dawn flight to Chicago to be at the NBA combine for his four players: Jordan Walsh, Anthony Black, Ricky Council and Nick Smith, Jr.

Walsh had just finished a rather rough scrimmage session where he was held scoreless, having difficulty even hitting the rim at close range. He also became one of several players to get taken advantage of by Kentucky's Oscar Tschiebwe on the defensive end. Yet, just a couple of minutes after that scrimmage wrapped, there was Musselman at the desk on ESPN getting five minutes of air time to immediately spin Walsh's performance and hype up his other three players.

On Walsh's lackluster performance:

"He did a little bit of everything, but score with the basketball. He an excellent rebounder for his position. A very, very unselfish basketball player. He showed those two skills that he has: being unselfish, moving without the basketball, and being a range rebounder. He does a great job of rebounding out of his area."

On landing Black and Smith:

"That was a big day for us for sure. It's so ironic that all three are playing here as well. We felt like both those guys could dual handle the basketball and Anthony ended up being the primary ball handler once Nick had injury stuff. Both of those guys can play either position. Anthony can play 1, 2, or 3 and, obviously, Nick can play the 1 or the 2."

On where he sees Smith fitting in:

"I think he can fit anywhere. He's a dynamic scorer. He's got great quickness with the basketball. He's an underrated defender. Offensively, when the play breaks down, the shot clock is running down, he can go get his own. Every coach wants a player who can go get his shot when the play breaks down. I think he's got an incredible future. Both, he and Anthony and Jordan Walsh, they are so young and they're going to get better. The thing about all three of them is they really work hard and their work ethic is going to take them and their games even further."

On advice he gives his players heading into the combine:

"One of the cool things in the hotel lobby just now, Nick said, 'Coach, you remember when you put us through those interviews,' because we did a mock interview with him on his visit, and he said 'I just got hit with those same questions.' I won't name the team. These guys are ready. From a really young age, at least these three guys have been really focused on how do I become an NBA basketball player. I think all three of them have great futures ahead of them and then Ricky Council, about to play right now, is a fourth Razorback who is here, so it's really cool to have those types of numbers at such a prestigious event."

On what executives were about to see in Ricky Council:

"Ricky is a guy who is one of the best athletes in the draft. He can really score with the basketball. He's a very good defender; a guy who can really draw free throws. His game goes to a whole 'nother level if you can get him in isolation situations or if you can get out in transition. He is an incredible finisher on the breaks."

On setting the work ethic example for his players when they come to Arkansas

"Well, I had an early flight today so I got up at 4:45 a.m. But normally it's a six o'clock workout. The best thing is when a guy comes in to shoot and he's thinks he's going to be the first one in the gym and his coach is already there."