Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson and his staff are expected to sign three prospects to national letters of intent beginning today, the first day of the early signing period that ends Nov. 16.
Small forward Darious Hall, 6-6, 210 pounds, of Mills is expected to ink with the Hogs during a 11:55 a.m. ceremony at the school gymnasium today.
He impressed Anderson during Arkansas' Elite Camp in August 2015, which led to the Razorbacks extending a scholarship offer in March. Two days later, he orally committed.
"I always told my friends that I was going to be a Razorback," Hall said. "That was when I was seven or eight when we were playing in the backyard."
Hall averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals a game as a junior. He chose Arkansas over a scholarship offer from UALR and interest from Alabama, Memphis, Louisiana Tech and others.
He saw his stock rise after an outstanding spring and summer while playing for the Memphis Magic. ESPN national director of recruiting Paul Biancardi elevated Hall to a 4-star prospect because of his performance.
"Hall in my mind can play a small forward spot, maybe a two, and then again I think he can play a stretch four -- not that he can shoot, but he's long and athletic and he's aggressive and high energy," Biancardi said.
Hall will have several family members in attendance.
"There's going to be a lot of emotions, a lot of hype, a lot of smiles," he said. "My family will be there, and they'll be proud of me."
Having the opportunity to play on an athletic scholarship will benefit his family.
"It's going to be a blessed day knowing I saved my momma some money for me to go to college to further my career," Hall said.
El Dorado power forward Daniel Gafford, 6-11, 223, is expected to sign during a 2:30 p.m. ceremony today. He picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Kansas, Florida, Virginia, Vanderbilt and others.
He played the clarinet before he started playing basketball competitively in eighth grade.
"I couldn't play years before that because I was in the band," Gafford said.
Gafford's ninth grade coach told him colleges were starting to take notice of his talents.
"He said if I go to college and start, I could make it to the [NBA] and all that," Gafford said.
He averaged 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks as a junior for the Wildcats. Biancardi rates Gafford the No. 10 center and No. 38 overall prospect.
Gafford, who played for Team Portis Wings during the spring and summer, has been considered more of a defensive prospect, but Biancardi sees progress on the offensive end.
"When I first saw him, I was thinking rim protector, shot blocker, rebounder, but the more I watched him play over last year and this summer, I'm seeing someone developing an offensive touch and offensive confidence," Biancardi said.
Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland will sign at 3 p.m. Friday.
"I always wanted to play in my home state, and I finally got the chance to do it, and I'm going to fulfill it," Garland said.
Garland, 6-6, 190 pounds, picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from LSU, Florida, Alabama, Connecticut, Memphis, Oregon, Texas A&M, UALR, Baylor and others.
He averaged 18 points and eight rebounds while leading the Patriots to the Class 6A state title as a junior. Garland wanted his parents to have the ability to see him play.
"It's a really good feeling because my parents have been there to all of my games," Garland said. "I can't count on my fingers how many games they've missed."
Biancardi rates Garland the No. 12 small forward and No. 55 overall prospect.
"He'a an attacking small forward," Biancardi said. "He makes plays at the rim and makes high level plays. His production is good, but it needs to be better. He's more of a highlight guy. He loves the transition game."
The Hogs are still evaluating several senior prospects and could sign another prospect during the spring signing period, which runs April 12 to May 17.
Sports on 11/09/2016