Junior power forward Tyler Cook announced his top six schools on Wednesday and Arkansas was one of them.
The Razorbacks along with Florida, Missouri, Iowa State, Iowa and Virginia made the cut.
Cook, 6-8, 240 of St. Louis Chaminade College Prep is rated by ESPN a 4-star prospect and the No. 15 power forward. He plays for the St. Louis Eagles during the spring and summer.
Eagles president and director Tim Holloway has talked to Tyler and his father, Trent about the Hogs.
“I think definitely coach (Mike) Anderson is a big draw,” Holloway said. “They like his style of play and I think the proximity may have something to do with it too. But I really think it’s those three things.”
Cook is averaging 9.1 points, 4.9 rebounds while shooting 65 percent from the field for the Eagles in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
“He really likes to get up and down the court,” Holloway said. “I think Arkansas is a place where he would be able to do that and not only maximize his current skill set but develop his full court game offensively and defensively.”
Arkansas will likely be one of Cook’s official visits.
“I would venture to say that I have no doubt Arkansas will get an official visit,” Holloway said. “I’m confident of that.”
Holloway has enjoyed seeing Cook’s development and now sees a prospect with a tremendous upside.
“For me, I think it’s special to see the progression in his growth,” Holloway said. “A couple years ago he was really just a big kid who you saw some potential in but just wasn’t sure how it would develop. Seeing now how hard he has worked on sculpturing his body, working on his post moves, his footwork.”
Cook’s work ethic and team first attitude is attractive to colleges.
“He’s a tremendous worker and focused kid and really just wants to be a good teammate and a good player,” Holloway said. “He’s going to be a good catch for whoever gets him.”