Arkansas makes explosive mid-major transfer Jaron Pierre's top 4

The portal is starting to pop for Arkansas basketball. Reports that the latest transfer who's caught the interest of John Calipari and Co. is Jacksonville State guard Jaron Pierre Jr., with the Hogs making his top four schools list.

Jaron Pierre and Arkansas with mutual interest

While the thought of signing a mid-major guard may not excite fans initially, watch the highlight tape before prejudging the New Orleans native. Most writers use the word 'explosive' hyperbolically when describing players, but with Pierre Jr., it's not much of a stretch. He can do it all: taking it to the rim, midrange jumpers, deep threes. A master of creating space, Pierre Jr. can score points on a whim.

He started his career in the 2020-21 season with Southern Mississippi, putting up a modest 8.8 points a game his freshman year and 9.9 the next. He transferred to Witchita State his junior year, averaging 10.6 points for the Shockers at a 39 percent clip from the field.

Pierre Jr.'s first three seasons were a decent start to his collegiate career. However, when he moved to Jacksonville State, something clicked. He went from scoring 10.6 points a game to an impressive 21.6, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 38.2 from the 3-point line. He also stepped up his game in other aspects, jumping from three rebounds a game to 5.5 and from 1.2 assists per game to 3.8.

While Arkansas' priority is the frontcourt, it still needs a guard or two to fill out the roster. At this moment, DJ Wagner is still on campus. Billy Richmond III and Karter Knox are technically forwards, but both dabbled in guard play this season. Freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas will also be on campus, meaning the front court will be rife with competition. At 6-foot-5, 188 pounds, Pierre Jr. should fit in nicely at the two or three, maybe even the four with a smaller lineup.