FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas head basketball coach Mike Anderson and his staff are thrilled with their three 2017 signees, but are intent or bringing aboard a fourth during the April 12-May 17 late signing period.
"We’re working very diligently, really trying to see if we can find that right fit, that right person to come in to go along with the group that we have," Anderson said.
There have been several names mentioned with Arkansas in the past few weeks with Garland, Texas, Centennial small forward Zhaire Smith (6-5, 190) attending Arkansas’ 85-67 home win over Georgia on March 4 on an unofficial visit.
Some other names speculated on include a pair of point guards in Vincennes, Ind., University standout Chris Darrington (6-1, 175) and Joilet, Ill. West star Teyvion Kirk (6-3, 185).
CBS college basketball writer Jon Rothstein noted Monday via Twitter that Marquette graduate transfer point guard Duane Wilson (6-2, 185) is looking at Arkansas, Texas A&M, Nevada, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Virginia.
There are several other graduate transfers out there, including Rice point guard Marcus Evans, who averaged 19 points last season and will have two seasons to play elsewhere.
“We are just looking for the best fit, whether it be size or whether it be guard play,” Anderson said. “We are just looking for a good fit.
“We really feel like we have a great nucleus coming back if everyone stays in fold, we will have a nice nucleus coming back so you want to have somebody that can add to that - whether it be size or it be a scorer or whether it be a good guard. We want the best possible player out there that fits what we are doing.”
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Anderson said the three 2017 signees so far - El Dorado center Daniel Gafford (6-11, 223), Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland (6-5, 190) and Little Rock Mills forward Darious Hall - will all be welcomed additions to next year’s roster.
“The thing I like about all those guys is they've got motors,” Anderson said. “In other words, they play with a lot of grit. When you talk about defensively, getting after people, getting in passing lanes. Long, athletic.”
Gafford, who averaged 17.4 points, 16 rebound and 7.7 blocked shots this season, certainly has the chance to step in for senior Moses Kingsley.
“I think Daniel's got to come in and go at his own pace,” Anderson said. “What pace that is, is going to be up to Daniel. But I think the summer is going to be a big indicator of that. How hard he comes in and works. Getting in the weight room, the individual workouts with our guys.
“But I'm sure he's coming here with the understanding that hopefully he's going to impact this team. And he can do it with his rebounding, his shot-blocking presence. He can run the floor, and he can come out on the floor and guard a guard and guard a forward.
“I think what he brings to the table, he brings some intangibles, and that's toughness. I like his toughness.”
Garland averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals for a Parkview team that lost to Mills in the state championship game in its quest for back-to-back state titles.
“He's a tremendous slasher,” Anderson said. “He's as good on the baseline I think as any guy we've had. I think (former Razorback) Ron Huery was like that. Ron was one of those guys that could get to the basket, pull up for that little short shot. He can really attack that baseline. I think Khalil is one of those guys that defensively, he's going to be really good in what we do.
Hall averaged 15.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while leading his team to the Class 5A state title and being named the MVP after 24 points and 13 rebounds.
“Darious and Khalil played against each other in the state championship game, and Darious ended up winning and I think won the most outstanding player,” Anderson said, “6-7 wing, slashing, very athletic. Defensive-minded.
“Just has really gotten better. He's shot the ball well from 15, 16-foot range. Made some threes. But the thing I like about him is his tenacity on defense. Tremendous passer.”
Anderson went back to Gafford.
“He's a shot-blocking machine, rebounder extraordinaire,” Anderson said. “He can really run the floor.
“These guys will all be exciting players, but this one here is, he has no fear. He won't back down from anyone. And he has really made himself a player.
“… You can imagine in practice, he's 6-11 and the next tallest guy is probably 6 feet. So he's got to challenge himself in practice each and every day.
“But throughout the summer months, and that's where a lot of these guys kind of make their name, Daniel each year … he's rising each and every year. He's one of the better big guys, I think, in the country.
“So we're excited about him. He can run the floor. He can score in the low block. He's still got some things he needs to learn. He's got to get stronger. But I'm excited about three of these guys.”