Which Current Kentucky Commits Most Likely Flip To Arkansas

Shift in college basketball's landscape could help Hogs land Calipari recruits

Mar 15, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari questions a call during / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — New Arkansas coach John Calipari finds himself in an interesting predicament. He doesn’t have any players on his roster. No, Eric Musselman left the cupboard bare of any current returning talent. 

Today, the final two pieces of Arkansas’ roster left school orannounced their desire to look for greener pastures. Calipari has an opportunity to build his roster from the bottom up with 13 scholarships in his pocket to use.

It’s plausible that Arkansas' new coach can use a few of them to flip current Kentucky signees. Of course, the NCAA allows incoming freshmen a release from their letter of intent if a coaching change has been made. There has been plenty of movement since Calipari’s move to Razorback nation was made known Sunday.  There’s a strong possibility a few members of his No. 2 ranked signing class joins him in Fayetteville. 

Karter Knox, Small Forward

Word of Karter Knox reopening his recruitment was starting to creep out early Monday morning.The Tampa Bay Times reported that the No. 19 overall player in the 2024 class would look elsewhere nearly a month after committing to the Wildcats.

A move to Arkansas wouldn't come too far out of left field since Knox was considering the Razorbacks early on in his recruitment. He didn't visit Fayetteville but the school was in his top eight before trimming it down to four schools. The 6-foot-5, 225 pound forward committed to the Wildcats due to Calipari's track record of putting players in the NBA.

Knox plays for Overtime Elite and has averaged 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal per game. The McDonald's All-American shot 44% from the floor and 34% from three this season but 63% from the line, which should improve with more emphasis in college.

Before committing to Kentucky, his other school of choice was South Florida. The Tampa Bay native's brother, Kobe, currently plays for the Bulls, helping first year coach Amir Abdur-Rahim to a 25-8 record.

Boogie Fland, Point Guard

One aspect last season sometimes overlooked was Arkansas' lack of point guard play. Many nights, Musselman would use a committee approach of El Ellis, Tramon Mark and Davonte Davis as his trusted ball handlers.

While at Kentucky, Calipari has valued the point guard position at each stop even with college basketball's evolution toward a positionless style of ball. Fland is a 5-star and ranked as the No. 18 overall player in the country and No. 2 at his position.

The New York native scored 19 points, seven rebounds and dished out four assists as a senior for Archbishop Stepinac in New York. According to 247sports scouting report, Fland is considered a tight ball handler and not afraid to be physical near the rim inviting contact with a solid finish down low.

Calipari is a huge reason most recruits choose Kentucky with his history of producing NBA talent at a high clip. Fland is no different wanting to play for the Wildcats former head man which makes him a candidate to flip to the Razorbacks.

"I chose Kentucky because of the history of success with the guards that have come through there,"Fland told On3. "Coach Cal is going to challenge me to be the best version of myself.  He didn’t promise me anything, playing time, shots, etc. He only promised me a chance to compete and fight! The first fight is with myself every day and I’m betting on me!

Somto Cyril, Center

The Razorbacks will need a big man and the Enugu, Nigeria native could give Arkansas a huge push down low. Cyril has an already exceptional build for an incoming freshman at 6-foot-10, 252 pounds. He played his senior year for Overtime Elite and nearly averaged a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Cyril was almost automatic from two-point range converting at a 67% clip but did struggle from the free throw line making 37% of his attempts. He did knockdown his lone three-point attempt this season with OTE so there's a chance the Nigeria native can grow his deep range game under Calipari.

Jared Quaintance, Center

One of the nation's top prospects in the country may not be a sure thing in Fayetteville with Calipari's move to Arkansas. Kentucky Sports Radio's Jack Pilgrim reports Quaintance could wait until the Wildcats hire a new coach before making a decision on where he'll play college ball the next two seasons.

"[Jared Quaintance] would like to hear out Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart regarding the school’s coaching hire before making a decision on his future. There is a chance he decides to reopen his recruitment, but the Wildcats will get the first shot at keeping the consensus top-ten prospect who must stay in college two seasons due to draft age restrictions."

- Jack Pilgrim, Kentucky Sports Radio

As stated earlier, the Razorbacks are void of incoming 2024 prospects after Musselman's departure for USC. Both small forwards Jalen Shelley and Isaiah Elohim have asked for their releases from the Razorbacks, respectively.

HOGS FEED:

• Final domino falls in Razorback recruiting

• Apology tour for Arkansas AD begins after pulling off stunning hire

• Former Hog declares for the NBA draft after two seasons at Arkansas

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