Musselman Always Ready For Transfer Portal Recruiting
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - There's a saying a group of buddies of mine came up with over the years when it comes to Eric Musselman, Arkansas and transfers.
"If you can ball, Muss will call."
Like a sparrow, his eye is always on the transfer portal and for good reason. Despite having the No. 7 transfer signing class last season, it didn't translate to success as it had in years passed. Two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 had fans in heaven. Now, Musselman will be tasked to do it all over again.
While the portal period doesn't open until March 18, college players between NAIA, JUCO and the NCAA have announced their intentions to transfer. In true Musselman fashion, the staff has already contacted potential additions.
"I mean, we've made phone calls," Musselman said. "If it requires video evaluation, there's not a lot in the portal. There might be some stuff on social media about a guy entering the portal, but until a guy actually shows up in the portal, the NCAA database, there's not a lot. Once we evaluate, then it gets into a matter of if we are going to make phone calls or not."
In the past during Elite Eight runs, Musselman made it known he and his staff never stop recruiting. He helped start the trend of overhauling rosters each season with handfuls of transfers. While many programs have stepped up their game over the years, Arkansas wants to stay ahead in the transfer realm.
"Look, before Elite Eight games we've been doing Zooms," Musselman said. "I've said it in the past. Certainly, if you're playing for an Elite Eight and an opportunity to make a Final Four and you're doing Zooms, we're going to be working to the best of our ability right now, as well as preparing."
A couple of players have shared on X that Arkansas, along with other programs, have reached out to them. JUCO transfer point guard Jose Cuella from College of the Sequoias has two years of eligibility remaining. Cuella had a productive season averaging 20.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and three assists per game. The 6-foot-1 shooter hit 41% from three this season.
Division III standout shooting guard Caleb Williams was the first transfer to receive contact from Arkansas' staff in February. At 6-foot-2, the shooting guard from McAlestar College in Minnesota has one year of eligibility remaining. He averaged 20 points an outing and 34% from three. Williams scored 41 points against in-state Big Ten foe Minnesota. The Razorbacks and Washington are the only high-major programs to reach out.
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