Freshman five-star guard Meleek Thomas is already making waves for the Arkansas Razorbacks, showing that he can contribute across the board in just his first few games. Thomas has led the team in multiple categories through the first two exhibition games and the season-opening win over Southern.
Thomas has shown he can be a scoring force, leading the Razorbacks in points in both exhibitions and pouring in 21 points in the season opener. But Thomas isn’t just a scorer. He also led the team in rebounds during the first two exhibitions with seven boards each game and added six against Southern, ranking second on the team through three games. His defensive prowess has been evident as well, with a team-high three steals in the season opener and a total of eight steals through three games. On the playmaking side, he led the team in assists, tying D.J. Wagner with seven in the opener, and ranks second overall with seven through three games.
Despite being in the spotlight alongside fellow freshman Darius Acuff, who scored 22 points in the opener, Thomas has quietly shown that he can match, and perhaps exceed, his teammate’s production. Thomas is the first Razorback to post at least 18 points, six assists, and three steals in a debut, regardless of class. His stat line demonstrated not only his scoring ability but also his versatility as a passer and rebounder.
What sets Thomas apart is his mindset. While he can score with some of the best young talent in the country, he says it is his defense that differentiates him. For a young player to prioritize both ends of the floor shows a level of maturity rarely seen in freshmen. His early-season performance suggests that he could be a key two-way player for Arkansas as the season progresses.
With his scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defensive ability, Thomas is off to an exceptional start, and his growth under coach John Calipari could make him a centerpiece of the Razorbacks’ success this season. If his debut is any indication, fans have plenty to be excited about with Thomas in the backcourt.