The 2024-25 Arkansas basketball roster will be like a John Calipari basketball family reunion occurring in a location that few could have previously fathomed. After 15 years leading Kentucky, Calipari is setting up shop in Bud Walton Arena for what should be a fascinating cap to a Hall of Fame career.
Coming with him from UK are three players who should factor heavily into the rotation in D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivišić. Alongside them will be three highly touted freshmen who were previously committed to Kentucky, including a couple with close ties to Calipari.
Karter Knox is the younger brother of former Kentucky star Kevin Knox, while Billy Richmond III’s father played for Calipari at Memphis in the early 2000s. Both wings were top-30 prospects in the Class of 2024 and will be needed to contribute as freshmen. The connections stretch even deeper into the roster as depth pieces such as guards Ayden Kelley and Kareem Watkins also share familial connections to former Calipari stars.
Even the coaching staff is familiar as former longtime Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne rejoins Calipari following two seasons as Louisville’s coach. Ex-Kentucky assistants Chin Coleman, Chuck Martin and Bruiser Flint are also on staff, as is Calipari’s son, Brad. Another familiar name is staffer Tyler Ulis, who once starred for the Wildcats.
Collectively, the group will hope to recapture the Kentucky glory days in a new location as Calipari aims for a late career resurgence. As the 2024-25 season approaches, here’s the breakdown of Arkansas’ roster.
Projected starting lineup
1. D.J. Wagner
6-4 | 195 | So.
Though he never lost his starting job as a freshman at Kentucky last season, Wagner was overshadowed by 2024 NBA lottery picks Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. He’ll have to contend with another highly touted freshman this season in McDonald’s All-American Boogie Fland. But Wagner’s decision…
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