The Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team just wrapped up its exhibition trip to the Bahamas, and after going 4-0 at the Baha Mar Summer League, John Calipari's squad has looked every bit as talented as Razorback fans expected.
With 11 new players joining the team, the Hogs are set to start an almost entirely new lineup when they tip off the regular season later this year. However, one familiar face from last year's rotation has unexpectedly resurfaced after most fans assumed his college career was over.
Malique Ewin commits to Oregon after federal ruling extends career
Last year's 2025-26 Arkansas squad was one of the most exciting in recent memory, with Darius Acuff Jr. and company leading the Hogs to an SEC Tournament championship and the Sweet 16. While most of the team's core either entered the NBA Draft, exhausted its eligibility, transferred, or returned for another year, one member of last year's lineup entered this offseason with some major questions surrounding his future: Malique Ewin.
Ewin graduated from high school in 2022 before spending one season apiece at Ole Miss, South Plains College, Florida State, and Arkansas. Because his junior-college season counted against his eligibility, Ewin had exhausted four seasons of competition and seemed done with college basketball after the Razorbacks' loss to Arizona.
However, on July 31, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a class-wide preliminary injunction requiring the NCAA to grant another season to qualifying athletes from the 2022 high school class. The ruling created a special transfer-portal window from Aug. 3-10, allowing newly eligible players like Ewin to find another school before the season begins. The NCAA has appealed the decision, but Ewin is currently eligible to compete during the 2026-27 season.
Malique Ewin only started four games for the Hogs a year ago, but he averaged nearly 21 minutes per game across 37 appearances for the team, making him an integral part of John Calipari's tight rotation. Three of those four starts came during the NCAA Tournament, during which Ewin emerged as Arkansas' most dependable option at center.
While Ewin wasn't a superstar for the Razorbacks last season (9.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG), he did play a major role for the Hogs down the stretch, notching a double-double in three out of the Hogs' last five games of the season. For a team that was extremely thin at the 5, his play gave Calipari's squad some much-needed stability in the postseason, even if Ewin never completely solved Arkansas' matchup problems against elite frontcourts like Arizona.
Ewin averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds across Arkansas' three NCAA Tournament games, recording consecutive double-doubles against Hawai'i and High Point. He finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in the opening round before producing 14 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists in the Round of 32.
Now, Malique Ewin is preparing to take his talents to a new school -- this time, in the Big Ten.
On Monday, 247Sports reported that Ewin had verbally committed to the Oregon Ducks, joining a program looking to rebound after a disappointing 12-20 season. Oregon finished just 5-15 in Big Ten play, giving head coach Dana Altman his first losing season since 1995-96.
Ewin should immediately compete for a major role in Eugene. His experience in the SEC, ACC, and NCAA Tournament should help stabilize a heavily reconstructed roster, and if he can become a more consistent interior defender, he could help the Ducks return to the postseason.
For Arkansas fans, it doesn't exactly hurt to see Ewin go. The big man was inconsistent against elite bigs last season, and although the Hogs currently lack a definitive starter at the center position, young players like Maper Maker, Caleb Ourigou, and Ilia Frolov arguably possess higher long-term ceilings, while Cooper Bowser gives Arkansas a more experienced option who fits its current roster.
Still, Ewin was front-and-center for some memorable moments during his time in Fayetteville, so it will feel sad to see him lace up for another team this season. His 17-point, nine-rebound performance in Arkansas' overtime victory at Missouri helped the Hogs secure the SEC regular-season title, while his 14 points and 13 rebounds against Ole Miss helped send the Razorbacks to the SEC Tournament championship game. His consecutive NCAA Tournament double-doubles also played a major role in Arkansas reaching its second straight Sweet 16.
Ultimately, Oregon needs Ewin more than Arkansas. The Ducks are receiving a proven high-major center capable of immediately strengthening their rotation, while the Razorbacks have already committed to developing a (mostly) younger collection of bigs. Considering his college career seemed to be finished only a few days ago, watching him receive one final opportunity at Oregon feels like a pretty good outcome for both parties.
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