Forward Adrio Bailey of Campti (La.) Lakeview became the first prospect to sign a national letter of intent with Arkansas' men's basketball team Wednesday during a ceremony in front family, friends and students in the school's gymnasium.
Bailey 6-6, 205 pounds, chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Wichita State, Murray State, Old Dominion and Louisiana Tech. He said he was honored that faculty and the student body showed up for his signing.
"It's a complete blessing," Bailey said. "Last year two of my teammates signed, but with me signing with the SEC, Arkansas, it's kind of a big deal."
Bailey played for Dallas-based Urban DFW BJ during the spring and summer. He led his high school to a 34-4 record last season while averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2.3 blocks.
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said Bailey is a great addition to the program.
"Adrio is an explosive player with tremendous athletic ability and has that toughness we're looking for," Anderson said in a university release. "His length, ability to score, defend, run the floor and attack the basket make him an exciting play-maker that fits what we do."
Bailey is reluctant to talk about his ability on the court. He said his mother, Claretha, taught him to be modest.
"I was raised by my mother, and she was a humble woman and I was what they call a momma's boy," Bailey said. "She said you don't have to say anything, just let the game talk."
Bailey's mother didn't get to see her son sign with Arkansas because she died from a rare lung condition Feb. 25. Bailey said he tries to use the lessons he learned from his mother as motivation.
"I still break down every now and then when I think about it," Bailey said. "Even when I committed to Arkansas, I kind of broke down because she can't be here, but it's all good because I know she's here in spirit."
The Hogs expect to get the signature of junior college All-America shooting guard Daryl Macon today at 1 p.m. signing ceremony at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Macon, 6-4, 185, played for Little Rock Parkview before attending Holmes (Miss.) Community College, where he averaged 23 points while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from beyond the three-point line as a freshman.
He picked the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Louisville, Kansas State and Memphis.
Junior-college guard Jaylen Barford, 6-4, 205, of Motlow Community College in McMinnville, Tenn., and junior college forward Arlando Cook, 6-8, 205, of Connors State College in Oklahoma are expected to sign with Arkansas on Friday.
Barford, who plans to sign a national letter of intent at 1 p.m. at the school gymnasium, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association's player of the week for the second consecutive week Wednesday. He averaged 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2 steals in 3 games.
Barford had more than 20 other scholarship offers from schools that included Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Memphis, Texas, Missouri and Ole Miss.
Cook is expected to sign with the Hogs during a 6 p.m. ceremony at the school gym. He picked Arkansas over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Missouri, LSU, Arizona State, Kansas State and others.
Sports on 11/12/2015