MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Arkansas basketball signee Daniel Gafford (6-11, 223) knows many Razorback fans are hoping he can come in next season and mitigate the loss of senior big man Moses Kingsley.
Gafford said he had a plan for that just minutes after posting a 16-point, 18-rebound MVP performance in Arkansas’ 105-81 win over Tennessee Saturday night in the annual Mike Conley All-Star Game Challenge.
“My goal is just to come in and not disappoint anybody,” Gafford said. “I have been telling the guys up there now that I am going to come in and help them get a ring and I don’t want to let them down so I am going to keep my promise.”
Fellow Razorback signee Darious Hall (6-7, 210) had 20 points while Arkansas State point guard signee Marquis Eaton added 18 points and 7 assists in the win at Memphis University High School.
Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland (6-6, 190) - the other Razorback 2017 signee - was selected to play, but chose to attend the Little Rock Central prom instead.
El Dorado’s Czar Perry had 14 points and 5 assists, Little Rock Parkview’s Javon Franklin 10 points and 7 rebounds, Southwest Christian Academy’s Gabe Osabuohien 8 points and J.A. Fair’s Kris Bankston 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Hot Springs’ Exavion Christian chipped in 6 points and Southwest Christian Academy’s Avery Benson added 5.
The game is sponsored Arkansas native and Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who had 31 points Friday night in his team's 101-88 win over New York in a game the all-stars attended.
All three Razorback signees - all ranked four-star prospects - are expected to arrive in Fayetteville in late May and begin summer school and work out with their new teammates.
“It was great getting out here tonight and getting this win together for our state,” Hall said. “We are coming up to Fayetteville on May 26th and get to work up there to chase that national title.”
Gafford, the 38th-best player in the country per ESPN.com, knows he will be spending some time in the weight room this summer.
“I have no idea what (weight) they want me to play at, but I know they just want me to put some pounds on,” Gafford said. “I’m sure I am going to be spending plenty of time in the weight room.
"I just want to get bigger and better in the post. know I can rebound and block shots, but I want to be able to get it done offensively down low from the start."
Gafford had a great senior season in which he averaged 17.4 points, 16.0 rebounds and 7.7 blocks per game.
He had 29 double-doubles and 15 triple-doubles while leading his team a 28-5 mark and into the Class 6A state title game before falling to unbeaten Jonesboro.
“It was a pretty good season although it didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Gafford said. “Still we couldn’t be that disappointed because we made history for our school. It was the first time in 30 years our school had played for the state basketball championship.”