Thursday evening, Arkansas forward Adou Thiero came one step closer to realizing his dreams. With the 36th pick in the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers traded the Brooklyn Nets for the rights to select Thiero. With the pick, Calipari's streak of producing first-round draft picks has ended.
After Coach Calipari was hired at Arkansas, Thiero followed, transferring from Kentucky. As a Razorback, he finally broke out, leading the Hogs in scoring and rebounds in the 2024-25 season. He was the go-to offensive threat for the Razorbacks, averaging 15.1 points a game while making it to the free-throw line 78 more times than anyone on the team. Of the 27 games he played, Thiero scored double-digit points in 23.
Unfortunately, with Arkansas needing every win to ensure an NCAA Tournament invitation, Thiero hyper-extended his knee against Missouri on Feb. 22. Somehow, the team fought short-handed, without Thiero and star point guard Boogie Fland, winning three of the last four regular season games. Adou made his final appearance as a Razorback in Arkansas' loss to Texas Tech in the Sweet Sixteen. He only recorded one point and a rebound in five minutes of playing time.
🫵 Adou Thiero, YOU are a Los Angeles Laker! pic.twitter.com/ct90rsFQh8
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) June 27, 2025
Heading to LA will put Thiero in one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. With names like Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and now, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the former Razorback will have the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of giants to start his NBA Career.