While Arkansas men's basketball coach Mike Anderson officially announced the promotion of Scotty Thurman to full-time assistant Wednesday, Thurman has been recruiting for the Razorbacks for about a month.
Thurman and the Hogs are showing strong interest in two talented junior combination guards, Elijah Joiner, 6-3, 185 pounds, of Chicago Curie, and Mike Adewunmi, 6-5, 210, of Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge.
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The two players said they have a good amount of interest in Arkansas after communicating with Thurman by phone, Twitter and text.
"He's a great person," Joiner said of Thurman. "He's always checking up on me making sure I'm alright and asks how school is going."
Joiner plays in the spring and summer for Team Rose, which is sponsored by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose. Thurman first saw him and Team Rose along with Adewunmi and Urban DFW Elite at the Adidas Gauntlet series in Dallas on April 15-17.
Joiner said Thurman explained how the Arkansas program emphasizes academics, including providing tutors who travel with the players.
""He said if you're not on time for class, there's someone at the door to notify a coach," said Joiner, who's averaging 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for Team Rose this spring. "It's really structured."
Joiner has 17 scholarship offers, including ones from DePaul, Saint Louis, Alabama-Birmingham, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Illinois State. He said he's hoping to see Hogs join the offer list.
"If an offer gets extended, then I would like to visit," Joiner said.
Adewunmi, who has 10 scholarship offers, including ones from Oral Roberts, Rice, Boise State and Utah State, said he also has been impressed with Thurman.
"He's not afraid to ask questions about you as a person, and it's easy to talk to him," Adewunmi said. "He gives me good feedback. We talk about sports like any other coach would. I have a good feel for him."
Adewunmi is averaging 12.5 points and 7.1 rebounds and is shooting 45.3 percent from the field this spring. He's also considering an Arkansas visit after talking to Thurman.
"We talked about coming to visit so I can get a better feel for the school and see if I would like it," Adewunmi said. "We've been building a relationship."
Thurman has said he is high on Adewunmi's ability.
"He thinks I'm a great scorer and I have a great body," Adewunmi said. "Coming into college, he doesn't think I would have much of a problem adjusting to the speed of the game. He said he likes my defense and I'm a good rebounder."
Joiner said he is honored to play for Team Rose.
"Derrick Rose has always been my favorite player," Joiner said. "To be able to play for the team is a blessing. Every time I step on the court, I give my all especially because of the name."
Joiner said he would like to make his college decision before the start of his senior season.
"Somewhere I can trust the coaches, I can go to them for anything," Joiner said of the school he plans to select. "A family atmosphere where my family and parents can come see me play or watch it on TV. A school with great academics. Somewhere I can feel comfortable, feel like home."
Joiner said he is considering broadcasting, communications or athletic training as majors in college. He was leader on his high school team
"Playing the point guard position, I have to carry my team a lot," he said. "A leader knows everything that's going on, making sure I know every play and making sure I know how to play the position of every player and make sure my teammates know what's going on."
Adewunmi, who has a 3.5 grade-point average and wants to study pre-dentistry, said honesty in the recruiting process is a must for him.
"Someone that's not always telling me what I want to hear, but telling me things I did to be better as a player and as a person," Adewunmi said. "Try and build a better relationship off the court, that's what really matters. A lot of coaches will fill your head up with things. An honest coach that will keep it honest from Day 1 will be the one that will always have my interest."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 05/17/2016