With Arkansas’ 2024 roster likely to be completed here is a look into what head coach John Calipari has built.
The current roster of Trevon Brazile, Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo, Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, and Billy Richmond has Arkansas consistently in the top 25 in way-to-early preseason rankings. In this article, each player will be broken down to how they have played in previous years and what they can bring to the table in 2024-25.
Let’s start with returning forward Trevon Brazile. Brazile, the 6-10, 220 pounds, had a lack of production in the 2023-24 season. He had a lot of hype leading into the season but did not match it. The team had its ups and downs and Brazile could never get going. In the 2022-23 season, Brazile started the season off strong giving Arkansas fans real hope for a deep run in March. Not even halfway through the season, Brazile tore his ACL in the Maui Invitational. John Calipari added Brazile to the roster as likely the final piece. Calipari is known for his way of developing players and making them great. We will have to wait and see what he does with Brazile.
Johnell Davis was one of the best if not the best player in the transfer portal this season. John Calipari went out and got him. He transferred from Florida Atlantic (FAU). There he averaged 32 minutes a game with 18 points shooting 48% from the field. The 6-4, 203-pound senior guard can ball. Florida Atlantic lost in the first round of the tournament losing to Northwestern. Davis had 18 points in the loss. Calipari and Johnell Davis could do great things.
Next is Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo. Another big addition Calipari brought in. The 6-11, 241-pound senior guard played well his junior year at Tennessee. Averaging 11 points and 51.5% from the field per game. He helped Tennessee reach the Elite 8 this past season. Razorback fans are hoping he can do the same and much more for Arkansas.
Highly talented Adou Thiero transferred to Arkansas from Kentucky following John Calipari. The 6-8, 222-pound junior guard averaged 7 points and 42% from the field his sophomore year. Adou has some developing to do but the guy to do it is here in Arkansas. Adou could be a big piece for the future.
The foreign guard Zvonimir Ivisic is following coach Calipari from Kentucky. The 7-2, 234-pounder from Croatia has a lot of potential. Ivisic joined Kentucky halfway through the season and averaged 5.5 points and 57.7% from the field in 11.7 minutes per game his freshman year at Kentucky. When he played Arkansas in Fayetteville he only played 2 minutes on a bad outing. Then a couple of weeks later when Arkansas went to Kentucky he played 20 minutes having 12 points. He has some improving to do but he could be a light at Arkansas.