FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson could easily look behind at some recruiting disappointments of the past, but he is of the mindset to look forward.
So instead of spending time thinking about the in-state stars he missed out on in 2015 (KeVaughn Allen to Florida) and 2016 (Malik Monk to Kentucky), he is rejoicing in the fact that the Razorbacks have eight four- or five-star players with state ties lined up for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 classes.
Much like Bobby Portis - the former Little Rock Hall and Razorback star and current NBA player for the Chicago Bulls - they committed early and in part because of their love for the Razorbacks growing up.
“The beauty of it is they are Arkansas kids want to be here and that’s what we want, guys that want to be here because one thing about Arkansas, Arkansas takes care of its own kids,” Anderson said. “When a kid says I am coming to this university, that is a big, big statement and I am excited about all those guys.”
The topic popped up at Anderson’s Thursday press conference to preview Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game between Arkansas (12-2, 1-1) and No. 6 Kentucky (12-2, 2-0) in Lexington, Ky.
Monk currently leads the SEC in scoring at 22.6 points per game and put up a season-high 47 points in a win over North Carolina earlier this season.
“Malik, great kid, know the kid, he did what he had to do,” Anderson said. “As disappointed as I am, we recruited the heck out of him. We worked, we really worked hard, but he is a good kid and he is doing what we thought he would do.
“So I wish him the best, just not in this game, but I wish him the best….In terms of this game, this is Arkansas versus Kentucky and our guys are looking forward to going on the road and trying to steal one.”
Anderson and his staff have been able to see all of the eight future Razorbacks play so far this season, but under NCAA rules can only talk about the three that signed in November.
That trio of four-star 2017 signees are El Dorado center Daniel Gafford (6-11, 223), Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland (6-6, 190) and Little Rock Mills small forward Darious Hall (6-7, 210).
“Those kids bring some athletic ability, they bring some toughness and I think they just fit what we are doing,” Anderson said. “…“I just love the energy they play with, they play with motors.”
Anderson’a 2018 class is currently ranked No. 1 nationally by ESPN with Little Rock Parkview forward Ethan Henderson (6-9, 190), Jonesboro guard Desi Sills (6-1, 170), Fort Smith Northside shooting guard Isaiah Joe (6-4, 180) and Thomasville, Ga., center Reggie Perry (6-10, 225), who used to live in Arkansas and is a five-star prospect in some recruiting services.
There’s even a 2019 commit in Little Rock Christian sophomore point guard Justice Hill (5-10, 160), who is the fifth Arkansas Hawks AAU player to pledge to Arkansas this past year.
Gafford, the 48th-best player in the country per ESPN, is averaging a whopping 20.2 points, 19.4 rebounds and 8.9 blocks per game.
He has seven triple-doubles in his team’s 12 games so far this season and chose the Razorbacks over Kansas, Florida and others.
“Daniel is playing well, at a high level and almost averaging a triple-double,” Anderson said. “He has played pretty good competition.”
Garland, who chose Arkansas over LSU, Oregon, UConn and others, is averaging 18.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for Parkview.
Hall is averaging 18.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game for Mills.
“I got a chance to see Khalil play,” Anderson said. “He is playing outstanding, as well as Darious Hall.”
Arkansas continues to recruit for its 2017 class with thoughts the Razorbacks are looking at both point guards and big men as possible additions.
“I never stop recruiting,” Anderson said. “We certainly are looking, got some players we are looking at to add to that class.”