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 to follow Calipari from UK to Arkansas suggests that both parties are planning on him playing a significant role.
2. Johnell Davis
6-4 | 210 | Gr.
Davis earned AAC co-Player of the Year while averaging 18.2 points for an FAU team that made its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The versatile scorer upped his 3-point shooting to a career-best 41.4% last season and remained efficient inside the arc. He was CBS Sports’ No. 1 ranked transfer and should be an all-SEC performer.
3. Adou Thiero
6-8 | 220 | Jr.
Thiero was an unheralded signee for Calipari in the 2022 recruiting class at Kentucky. Now entering his third season of SEC basketball, he’s proven to be an effective role player because of his athleticism and motor. His outside shooting and offensive skill are still under development. But Thiero plays with great energy, can guard multiple positions and can get into the paint off the dribble.
4. Trevon Brazile
6-10 | 230 | Jr.
Brazille is the lone scholarship returner from last year’s Arkansas roster after starting 23 games for the Razorbacks in 2023-24. As a rangy forward with outside shooting ability and defensive versatility, he’s always looked the part of an NBA prospect. Staying healthy will be key to his continued development as Calipari seeks to maximize his intriguing skillset.
5. Jonas Aidoo
6-11 | 240 | Gr.
Aidoo earned all-SEC honors at Tennessee last season while averaging 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He struggles to match the physicality of the game’s top bruisers but is an effective rim protector with an offensive repertoire that includes mid-range shooting.
Bench
Boogie Fland
6-2 | 175 | Fr.
Fland is the highest-ranked commitment in Arkansas’ No. 3 ranked signing class. The McDonald’s All-American is heralded as a good shooter who is comfortable playing on or off the ball. His lean build makes him reminiscent of many other guards that Calipari has sent to the NBA in the 21st century. Fland landed at No. 16 in Kyle Boone’s way-too-early 2025 NBA mock draft.
Karter Knox
6-6 | 220 | Fr.
The younger brother of former Kentucky star Kevin Knox was a McDonald’s All-American who finished the 2024 recruiting cycle ranked by 247Sports as the No. 25 overall prospec. 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein described him as a “true three-range scorer on the wing.” Though he’s not entering the season as a projected lottery pick — as his brother was in 2018 — Knox should have plenty of opportunity now that he’s one of the sport’s top freshmen.
Zvonimir Ivišić
7-2 | 245 | So.
Ivisic was absolutely spectacular in his Jan. 20 debut for Kentucky last season and turned in another monster performance against Alabama in late February. But there were also plenty of growing pains for the Croatian sensation, who was battling for minutes in a crowded front court. With a year of high-major experience under his belt and a clearer path to playing time at Arkansas, he should flourish.
Billy Richmond III
6-5 | 205 | Fr.
Between Thiero, Knox and Richmond, the Razorbacks have a nice crop of athletic wings with defensive versatility. Richmond’s perimeter shot is a work in progress, but he may be able to carve out a role with defense and hustle after ranking as the No. 27 overall prospect in the class.
Depth
Melo Sanchez | 6-4 | 185 | Jr.
Casmir Chavis | 6-0 | 180 | Fr.
Sanchez transferred in from Division II Hawai’i Pacific, where he developed a reputation for 3-point marksmanship. Chavis ranked as a three-star prospect and chose the Razorbacks over other power conference scholarship opportunities.
