Hog Hoops Host Numerous Elite Recruits During September

Razorback basketball staff busy as Top 50 prospects from around the country have filled its fall weekends

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Sep 21, 2023 11:21 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has put together several elite high school recruiting classes despite being dubbed "The Importer" by national media for his annual transfer portal work.

What might have worked at Nevada needed to evolve for the Hogs' basketball program to experience revival of sorts. Musselman knew he needed to attract high schoolers to compete at an elite level in the SEC. An NBA pedigree and knowing what franchises are looking for is quite appealing to Top 100 recruits.

The Razorbacks' coach hasn't always done it the conventional way. Even if he's bringing in top recruiting classes, transfers are also added to provide depth plus experience. That alone has brought the Hogs closer the promised land than any coach in the past 24 years. Musselman's model is proven, and top recruits and transfers alike will continue beating the Hogs' door down.

Over the month of September, the Hogs have hosted several Top 50 recruits from the next three high school classes. If the month of September has been impressive, wait until October when things really start to heat up.

2024 Class

It would be wrong to not speak of the Razorbacks' only current commitment for this current cycle. Link Prep star Jalen Shelley is a composite Top 50 prospect according to 247sports. He played in 21 games for Houston Hoops and Pro Skills on the Nike EYBL circuit over the summer where he put up 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Shelley chose the Hogs over LSU, Ohio State, Houston, Alabama and Louisville. The 6-foot-8 small forward visited Fayetteville on Sept. 8 and committed to the Razorbacks on Sept. 11 following his visit.

Another highly anticipated visitor was Isaiah Elohim of the Sierra Canyon Prep in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-5 small forward is also a consensus 4-star prospect in the Top 40 in three of the major recruiting services. The Trailblazers' basketball program has produced several notable prospects including Bronny James and Marvin Bagley.

Elohim averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Trailblazers last season. He visited the Hogs last weekend. For his size, Elohim is a strong combo-guard who is the prototypical "big guard" Musselman's teams are accustomed to having. He has the ability to not only drive to the basket with ease, but is also consistent from midrange to the 3-point line.

2025 Class

The Hogs have hosted several quality juniors this month including BJ Davis-Ray of Duncanville, Texas. The 6-foot-6, 185 pounder is another big guard with the ability to score at all three levels. Davis-Ray is ranked as the No. 42 prospect for the 2025 cycle and visited the Hogs on Sept. 16. He holds offers from Arkansas, Houston, Illinois, Kansas and Creighton. If the name Duncanville sounds familiar, it's because that's where Anthony Black and Ron Holland played together.

Malachi Moreno is considered one of the best centers in the country, ranked fifth at his position. The Georgetown, Ky. native visited Fayetteville on Sept. 9. His recruitment will be a busy one as he's seen Michigan and Cincinnati over the past two weekends. He has several other key visits to Tennessee, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Iowa and Kentucky coming over the next month.

A pair of targets from the Natural State are Terrion Burgess (Benton) and Jai Hayes (White Hall). Burgess is a long, athletic lefty with deep shooting range and considered a consensus 4-star prospect. The 6-foot-8 forward continues to grow his game and continues to catch the attention of basketball programs around the country. Including Arkansas, Burgess holds offers from Ole Miss, Missouri, TCU and Memphis.

Hayes sits just outside the top 100 prospects, according to On3 Sports. The 6-foot-6, 185 pound forward holds offers from several high majors including Ole Miss, Missouri and Vanderbilt. He also holds an offer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff just down the road from his high school.

2026 Class

A trio of Arkansas high school sophomores visited over the weekend as well. LaDaryl Robinson of Marion is a 6-foot-7 forward with offers from Arkansas State and Drake.

Also in town was Aidan Chronister, of Rogers, one of the top shooters in the state who is known for his athleticism and shooting range. He is considered the No. 29 prospect in his class and holds offers from UCA, Missouri and College of Charleston. He left Fayetteville with an offer following a successful visit.

Alongside Chronister in terms of respect is Jacob Lanier. He too is ranked No. 29 overall, in his case by On3. The visit this past weekend was the Maumelle native's first since receiving an initial offer in May. He holds offers from the Hogs, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Missouri, TCU and Cal.

As a freshman, Lanier showed off his elite skillset by averaging 15.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 small forward shoots well from the field at 41% while also drilling 32% from three.