FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Manuale Watkins has been rewarded a scholarship on the Razorbacks' basketball team.
Watkins, a junior, was a walk-on for his first two years at Arkansas. He averaged 2.6 points and played in all 36 games as a sophomore.
His father, Melvin, is an assistant coach on the team. Manuale Watkins walked-on at Arkansas after verbally committing to a scholarship offer from Missouri State.
“I told him what had to take place for him to be in a position to receive scholarship and he earned it," Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said in a statement. "Ever since he stepped foot on this campus he has been one of the hardest working and most improved guys each and every year.”
The Razorbacks had multiple scholarships available after an eventful off-season. Former UA forward Jacorey Williams was dismissed from the program last month following a series of legal issues and signee Ted Kapita signed a professional contract in France after failing to meet NCAA academic qualifications.
With Watkins, Arkansas has 12 players on scholarship but that number may decrease by the beginning of the season. Guard Anton Beard is facing felony forgery charges and forward Dustin Thomas is expected to be arraigned next week after being arrested on suspicion of passing counterfeit money.