SPRINGDALE — It took a while, but Michael Sanchez and Marcus Britt found a college basketball home.

Sanchez, a power forward from Springdale Har-Ber, and Britt, a point guard from Forrest City, ended long recruiting processes Tuesday when each signed a letter of intent with Arkansas. Sanchez made his commitment to Arkansas official at a noon signing ceremony at Springale Har-Ber, and Britt followed approximately an hour later at Forrest City.

Both had long hoped to play for Arkansas but received varying degrees of interest from the school until Coach John Pelphrey was hired last month. Pelphrey recently extended scholarship offers to Sanchez and Britt, who will join Springdale Har-Ber guard Nate Rakestraw in the Razorbacks’ incoming recruiting class.

“The first thing he told me when he came to visit was that he wanted to build the program around instate kids,” Sanchez said. “He feels that is important. Those in-state kids will play the hardest on the floor because they have something to play for. They aren’t just playing for Arkansas, the school, but for their whole state.”

Wake Forest, Kentucky and Colorado were among the schools Sanchez was considering before choosing Arkansas, where his mother, Kim, also played basketball. Sanchez originally intended on attending Findlay Prep in Las Vegas for a year, but his recent play in AAU tournaments led to increased recruiting attention.

Sanchez, who averaged 16 points and 15 rebounds last season, was a sophomore when offered a scholarship by former Razorbacks Coach Stan Heath. Several other schools showed an early interest in Sanchez, but knee injuries he sustained as a junior caused many teams to back off.

Sanchez, 6-8, said he is now “100 percent” healthy. His recent play seemed to back up that assertion and led to a late push by several schools, Arkansas in particular.

“Michael is the type of player we want to be around on a daily basis,” Pelphrey said in a news release. “He is going to be a big, big part of the future of Razorback basketball.”

Britt, 6-4, received attention from the Razorbacks, but that ended when Rakestraw signed with Arkansas in November. That led Britt to sign with Louisiana Tech. The school eventually fired Coach Keith Richard and Britt was granted a release, allowing him to reopen the recruiting process.

While the series of events allowed Britt to sign with Arkansas, it meant he had to go through the recruiting process twice.

“I know he’s glad it’s over,” Forrest City Coach Dwight Lofton said. “It’s been a whirlwind. He’s glad to be a Razorback.”

Britt averaged 18. 5 points, 5. 5 rebounds and 3 assists last season, helping Forrest City to a Class 6 A runner-up finish.

“Any time you ask anyone about Marcus Britt, they tell you how hard he competes and that he’s a winner,” Pelphrey said. “We’re excited about having him join our program.”