The Recruiting Guy

Reggie Perry commits to Hogs

Forward Reggie Perry.

Highly-recruited junior forward Reggie Perry has publicly committed to Arkansas.

Perry, 6-10, 225 pounds of Thomasville, Ga., becomes the third member of the 16-under Arkansas Hawks to pledge to the Hogs. He called Coach Mike Anderson on Monday and told him of his plans be a Razorback.

He chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from scholarship offers from Florida State, Auburn, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Alabama, Iowa State, Miami and others.

The Hogs also have commitments from Arkansas Hawks 2019 point guard Justice Hill, 5-11, 160, of Little Rock Christian, and 2018 guard Isaiah Joe, 6-2, 160, of Fort Smith Northside.

Perry, who moved to Little Rock in the sixth grade and lived there until about three years ago, announced his decision on Twitter and said Arkansas was his equivalent to Kentucky, Kansas or Duke.

"Really when I say that, it’s because everyone has a dream of going to one of those schools," Perry said. "They all look at them being one of the best college teams and they have to go there. Basically, I’m just saying this is my place where I can be the most successful.”

Perry said Anderson and the Arkansas staff were key in his decision.

"They’re experienced and I’ve known them for a while," Perry said. "Coach Anderson has a good winning record and I like what he’s doing in his program."

Perry's father, Al, played point guard for Mississippi State from 1974 to 1978 and led the SEC in assists in 1975 and 1976.

Commitments

http://www.wholehog…">Check out the full list of Arkansas commits

Perry can score inside the paint and beyond while also being an excellent rebounder.

"Really what Coach Anderson told me was that he was going to let me do everything on the floor," Perry said. I’ll be able to facilitate, score and rebound to help win a national championship.”

Bud Walton Arena and the new practice facility were top-notch, Perry said.

"They’re some of the best in the country in my opinion," he said. "They were one of the best I’ve seen in all of my visits. That really got me too."

Hoopseen.com rates Perry the No. 2 prospect in Georgia and No. 13 overall prospect in the nation for the 2018 class. ESPN lists him as a four-star recruit.

Perry received praise from national analysts after outstanding play during the spring and summer.

“Reggie is a great talent without a doubt, he has NBA potential,” Arkansas Hawks founder and coach Bill Ingram said. “He could play the three, four or five easily. When the new rankings come out, I’m expecting he’ll be in the top 10 and eventually end up climbing higher.”

Former Razorback and current Utah Jazz guard Joe Johnson played for Ingram and the Arkansas Hawks. Ingram believes Perry could be one of Anderson's best commitments.

"He has very long arms, big hands broad shoulders and he has a great basketball skill set," Ingram said. "I want to be careful when I say this, but I really believe potentially as far as a skill set, there’s no other player Coach A has probably coached with his skill set with the exception of Joe Johnson. It doesn't mean he hasn't coached guys that are stronger, faster. I don’t know because Reggie is pretty fast. He’s pretty strong in the weight room, but his skill set is similar to Joe’s."

Arkansas is also heavily recruiting two other 2018 Hawks - forward Ethan Henderson, 6-8, 190, of Little Rock Parkview, and guard Desi Sills, 6-1, 170, of Jonesboro.

Sills plans to visit the Hogs on Friday and could be the next Hawk to join the commitment list for the Razorbacks. Perry said the chance to play with his Hawks teammates in Fayetteville was also big to him.

"We’re just trying to do something special keeping it in the state and continue to play with each other," Perry said. "We’ve been playing with each other since the sixth grade. We just know each other. We know what to expect from each other."

Perry also sought a family atmosphere.

"One of the things I wanted when I was choosing college was a family oriented place and I felt that," Perry said.

REGGIE PERRY SCOUTING REPORT: Excellent mobility and speed for a big man, does most of his scoring around the paint, but has the range to hit the 15-18 foot jump shot and occasionally hit the three-pointer, good shot blocker, above average ball handler with the ability to take the defender off the dribble and go strong to the basket.