Arkansas Razorbacks basketball lands coveted Texas forward prospect

The Razorbacks received a big commitment from the Link Academy (Missouri) senior and Texas native

Arkansas men’s basketball picked up its first commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle, and it’s a big one.

Link Academy (Missouri) small forward Jalen Shelley committed to Arkansas on Monday, choosing the Razorbacks over Louisville, Ohio State, Houston and more.

The 6-foot-8 senior is the nation’s No. 14 small forward and No. 47 overall recruit in the class of 2024, per the 247Sports composite rankings.

Shelley gives Arkansas its first verbal pledge for 2024, and his commitment alone gives the Razorbacks a top 30 recruiting class in the country.

Arkansas signed the No. 30 recruiting class in the country in 2023, taking just two high school recruits: Baye Fall (Accelerated Prep, CO) and Layden Blocker (Sunrise Chrisitan, KS). 

Shelley transferred to Link Academy for his senior year after one year at Prestonwood Christian (Texas). He led the Lions to a TAPPS 6A state title as a junior, posting 18.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. 

Prior to his time at Prestonwood Christian, Shelley attended Frisco Lone Star (Texas).

The Razorbacks’ newest commit is primed for a big senior year with the defending national champion Link Academy, which will likely enter the season as one of the top three teams in the country.

(Feature photo by Katie Goodale/USA TODAY NETWORK)