JC point guard signs with Hogs

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson speaks to players against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Junior-college point guard Jabril Durham made it official Friday morning and signed his national letter of intent with Arkansas and will be one of two point guards on the Razorbacks’ roster next season.

Durham, 6-1, 180 pounds, of Seminole State College in Oklahoma, orally committed to the Razorbacks on March 13 without visiting Fayetteville. He made an official visit to Arkansas last weekend and was reassured of his decision.

“I saw all the coaches’ wives and I saw how they were with the kids,” Durham said. “They’re a very family-oriented team, and that’s really important with the chemistry.”

He also had scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Auburn, Western Kentucky, Marquette and others.

“I felt really comfortable,” Durham said of his time with the Arkansas players. “They were my hosts for the weekend. I went out to eat with different ones.It was really good. We played one time. They showed me they really wanted to win and that’s what I want to do, too.”

Durham shot 50.1 percent from the field and 44.1 percent on three-pointers this season while averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.

“Probably going to see the strength and conditioning coach and going to the gym and seeing where I’ll be playing,” Durham said about what lies ahead for him in Fayetteville. “I can visualize all 20,000 in there [Walton Arena] and being packed and watch us against Kentucky.

“I’m just really anxious to get down there and get better right away.”

Forrest City forward Trey Thompson, 6-9, 260, guard Nick Babb, 6-4, 180, of Arlington (Texas) Martin and North Little Rock point guard Anton Beard, 6-1, 180, signed with Arkansas during the early signing period in November.

Former Pulaski Academy guard Dusty Hannahs also will join the program after announcing April 9 that he would transfer from Texas Tech. He’ll sit out next season and have two years of eligibility left.

Arkansas roster for 2014-2015 (projected)

RETURNING PLAYERS

PLAYER HT. POS. CL.

Ky Madden 6-5 G Sr.

Alandise Harris 6-6 F Sr.

Michael Qualls 6-6 F Jr.

Anthlon Bell 6-3 G Jr.

Jacorey Williams 6-8 F Jr.

Bobby Portis 6-10 F So.

Moses Kingsley 6-10 F So.

Manuale Watkins 6-3 G So.

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Anton Beard 6-1 G Fr.

Nick Babb 6-4 G Fr.

Trey Thompson 6-9 F Fr.

ELIGIBLE TRANSFERS

Keaton Miles 6-7 F Jr.

Jabril Durham 6-1 G Jr.

TRANSFER (MUST SIT OUT)

Dusty Hannahs 6-4 G Jr.

NOTE Miles redshirted last season after transferring from West Virginia and will be eligible to play. Hannahs is transferring from Texas Tech and will redshirt. Durham is a junior college transfer. Watkins is a walk-on.

Sports, Pages 26 on 04/19/2014