The Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team continues to win big in the John Calipari era.
Fresh off 2026's No. 1 recruiting class, the Hogs are now a finalist for the No. 1 small forward in the 2027 recruiting class, Demarcus Henry. While Arkansas will face stiff competition recruiting Henry, if there's anyone who can bring him to Fayetteville, it's the best recruiter in college basketball.
DeMarcus Henry names Arkansas Razorbacks as one of his top 8 teams
Per the Henry Family's personal YouTube account, the Arkansas Razorbacks are one of eight teams that 2027 5-star SF DeMarcus Henry is considering for his collegiate career, joining the likes of BYU, UConn, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, and Ohio State.
DeMarcus Henry (6-foot-7, 190 lbs) is the younger brother of Ohio State wide receiver, Chris Henry Jr., who was the No. 1 WR in the 2026 class, and Ohio State women's basketball player Seini Henry. Their father, Chris Henry Sr., played football for West Virginia and the Cincinatti Bengals, showing that athleticism clearly runs in the family.
DeMarcus Henry plays basketball for Compass Prep in Chandler, AZ, where he averaged 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game last year while shooting 54% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. The small forward isn't necessarily as polished on offense as Hogs fans might expect from the No. 5 overall recruit for the 2027 class, but with his length, defensive prowess, and increasingly varied offensive skillset, he's one of the most versatile in his class.
Henry had a breakout performance at the Memphis EYBL session (21 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG) in May that earned him scholarship offers from several major programs, including the Arkansas Razorbacks. Now, the Hogs will look to seal the deal against some the best programs in college basketball.
That will be easier said than done. Henry's top eight is loaded with blue-blood programs; still, Arkansas making the cut is another strong sign that Calipari's recruiting machine has not slowed down since arriving in Fayetteville.
Arguably the biggest obstacle between John Calipari and signing Henry is Ohio State. With two of his siblings currently playing sports for the Buckeyes and his father playing for the Cincinatti Bengals before he died in 2009, it's easy to imagine DeMarcus Henry following in his family's footsteps. However, if he does end up becoming the latest trophy in John Calipari's recruiting history, then it could make the second time in as many years that the Arkansas Razorbacks have signed a recruit who was the No. 1-ranked player at their respective position (Jordan Smith Jr. was 2026's No. 1-ranked point guard).
DeMarcus Henry has rocketed up recruiting rankings over the past few months, so there's no telling where he'll ultimately fall by the time the 2027 recruiting cycle draws to a close. That said, Hogs fans will want to keep an eye on the 5-star player throughout his senior year in high school, as he may very well don the red-and-white by the time it's all said and done.
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