Arkansas' men's basketball team added two more highly regarded signees from the junior college ranks Friday.
Jaylen Barford , a 6-4 guard from Motlow Community College in McMinnville, Tenn., and Arlando Cook, a 6-8 forward from Connor State College in Oklahoma, signed a national letters of intent with the Razorbacks during ceremonies at theirs schools.
Barford chose Arkansas over more than 20 other scholarship offers from schools that included Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Memphis, Texas, Missouri and Ole Miss.
"It feels good to be a part of Arkansas, the history of it and the chance to play for one of the best coaches in America in Coach Mike Anderson," Barford said. "It just feels great to sign with Arkansas."
Barford was selected as the National Junior College Athletic Association's player of the week for the second consecutive week after averaging 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2 steals in 3 games. He was 31 of 44 from the field and 6 of 12 from beyond the three-point line.
"The mentality of winning," Barford said of what he'll bring to the Razorbacks. "Energy, scoring, defense. Whatever Coach Anderson wants me to do."
Barford, who's expected to play point guard for the Hogs, averaged 20.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 5.1 assists per game as a freshman. He orally committed to the Razorbacks on Sept. 22 and has never wavered.
"We talk almost every day," Barford said of the Razorbacks' coaches. "I'm loyal to who I commit to, so I wasn't going to back out."
Assistant T.J. Cleveland recruited Barford in high school and stayed on him in junior college. Barford said Cleveland's honesty helped gain his trust.
"I like Coach Cleveland," Bardford said. "He played a big role in my recruiting because he stayed on me even though I had to go to juco and he still stayed on me."
Cook signed with Arkansas over offers from Missouri, LSU, Iowa State, Arizona State, Kansas State and others.
The St. Louis native played at Saint Louis Madison Prep during his junior and senior seasons after transferring from Hazelwood Central High School.
Cook expressed gratitude to several people, including mentor Jonathan Mosley, Madison Prep Coach Tony Irons and Hazelwood Central Coach Brandon Gilmore.
"Those guys played a huge role in helping me get where I am now," Cook said. "One of the things they always told me, they can help me all they want, but I have to want it myself."
Cook is averaging 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.3 assist and 1 steal a game this season after averaging 11.4 points and 9.4 rebounds last season, when he shot 57.2 percent from the field.
He said he's overcome several obstacles to get where he is now.
"Coming from my type of background, it's a blessing," Cook said. "It shows there's second chances and it's how you take advantage of the second chances you get."
Cook, Barford and Holmes Community College in Mississippi shooting guard Daryl Macon, who signed with the Hogs on Thursday, are considered three of the top junior-college prospects in the nation.
"It's a good feeling knowing all three of us can come in and be an immediate impact," Cook said.
Arkansas has four signees for the 2016 class. Forward Adrio Bailey of Campti (La.) Lakeview signed with the Hogs on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period that runs until Nov. 18.
Sports on 11/14/2015