Buzz around Arkansas basketball is real right now. Even coming off a tough loss to Auburn, the Razorbacks remain firmly in the national conversation, and ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft only reinforces that fact. Not one, not two, but three Arkansas players appeared in draft analyst Jeremy Woo’s newest projections, a testament to both the talent on the roster and the man leading it.
Head coach John Calipari has built a Hall of Fame résumé by developing elite talent at an elite level. From Memphis to Kentucky and now Arkansas, Calipari has consistently turned college stars into NBA standouts. With that track record, it should come as no surprise that NBA scouts are once again circling his program.
Darius Acuff Jr: The Top-10 Talent Leading The Way
The first Razorback off the board is freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., projected inside the top 10 to the Dallas Mavericks. Pairing Acuff with Cooper Flagg? NBA fans would sign up for that instantly.
Acuff has been the engine of Arkansas’ offense, serving as its primary facilitator while averaging around six assists per game. His ability to control tempo, create advantages, and make teammates better has stood out all season. Landing in Dallas would also give him the opportunity to learn from Kyrie Irving, one of the most skilled point guards the game has ever seen.
Jeremy Woo summed up Acuff’s rise perfectly:
"“Acuff has flourished under coach John Calipari, showing he can drive winning with heavy responsibility and has established himself as a lottery contender. His strength, skill level and ability to change speeds getting into the paint have made him a challenging cover, and he has shown critical growth as a decision-maker and shooter (42.5% from 3) and a willingness to make the right play. He can be polarizing with scouts because of concerns about his limited defensive impact and how his ball dominance will translate, but it's hard not to be impressed with the season he has put together. Considering the growing perception that this lottery flattens out beyond the top five, Acuff seems likely to draw early consideration from guard-needy teams.”"Jeremy Woo
Acuff is an elite, efficient scorer who can beat defenders in multiple ways while orchestrating an offense at a high level. Defensive questions remain, but his basketball IQ and work ethic suggest improvement is coming. Under Calipari’s guidance, that side of his game should continue to develop.
Meleek Thomas: A Sleeper with Star Potential
Next up is Meleek Thomas, projected just outside the first round at pick 33 to the Boston Celtics. Calling him “the other star freshman Razorback” isn’t meant to diminish his value, Thomas has real star potential in his own right.
He burst onto the scene early in the season, hit a cold stretch, but has looked much more like himself since the holiday break and into SEC play. Thomas is a knockdown three-point shooter who also impacts the game in multiple ways. His defense stands out, especially his active hands and ability to guard multiple spots.
Landing in Boston could be ideal. The Celtics are known for their player development, and in that environment Thomas could grow into a starter, or at the very least, a high-impact sixth man. If his upward trajectory continues, don’t be surprised if he plays himself into late-lottery conversations down the line.
Karter Knox: Winning Basketball Personified
The third Razorback to appear in the mock draft is Karter Knox, projected 55th overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 6’6”, 220 pounds, Knox brings positional versatility, capable of playing anywhere from shooting guard to small-ball four.
His stats may not jump off the page, but that’s because they don’t have to. Knox plays the kind of winning basketball coaches love; physical, unselfish, and reliable. He does the little things that don’t always show up in box scores but matter when it comes to winning games.
Given his current projection and the fact that he’s only a sophomore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Knox return to Arkansas. More time under Calipari could elevate his role, boost his production, and significantly raise his draft stock in the future.
Three Razorbacks appearing in ESPN’s NBA mock draft speaks volumes about the direction of Arkansas basketball. Coach Calipari’s presence is already paying dividends, and as the program continues to grow under his leadership, this likely won’t be the last time Razorback names are called on draft night.
Despite their recent slip up to Auburn, the future in Fayetteville looks bright and the NBA is clearly paying attention.