Basketball Channel analyst Van Coleman has watched four of the Arkansas Razorback basketball signees play in the spring or summer and likes what he's seen.
Coleman, who's started covering the national scene 40 years ago, said he thinks with some improvement Fort Smith Northside guard Isaiah Joe has a chance to be a three-year starter for the Hogs.
"He has the ability to slash, drive and score off the dribble," Coleman said. "He'a a little bit of a streaky shooter from the three-point range, but when that's falling he really has the ability to attack the defense. As he goes to Arkansas, he's going to have to improve that consistency because that's really going to be key for him to become a three year starter."
Joe, 6-4, 170 pounds averaged 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 44.8 percent from beyond the three-point line for the Grizzlies as a junior.
Coleman likes the intensity of Jonesboro guard Desi Sills, 6-1, 170 and sees him as a possible defensive stopper.
"Athletically, he can guard you," Coleman said. "He can get down and get nasty."
Sills averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals during the Hurricanes run to the Class 6A state championship, with 32 victories and no defeats as a junior.
"Desi is an athletic two guard that can get to the rim and finish above the rim," Coleman said. "He has the ability to create off the dribble. Probably the biggest thing is consistency from the perimeter to set up the dribble-drive and at 6-foot-1 that's going to become something that's really going to be a needed skill that I did not see when I watched him play."
Power forward Reggie Chaney, 6-8, 230 of Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., averaged 11.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 blocked shot as a junior.
Coleman said Chaney will bring a presence to the paint for the Razorbacks.
"Reggie Chaney is a big, strong, physical rebounder, post defender," Coleman said. "He can play as the four or the five. He's chiseled. He looks like a man now. He is all ready physically for the next level. He has great hands. He finishes around the basket. He loves contact and doesn't back down from it.
"I think the biggest thing with him is he still has to work on his offensive game, but when he gets the ball in the block, he's going to get it to the rim. And one thing he can do is finish through people."
Little Rock Parkview power forward Ethan Henderson, 6-9, 190, along with Chaney gives Arkansas two big men with the potential of forming a tough duo in the future.
"Bouncy combo-forward, I think eventually he could move his game to the three," Coleman said. "Right now he's a four. He has a 15-foot range and is a scorer around the basket. He has to extend that out but athletically he can guard a three and he can guard a four. He's a guy that can play above the rim. He and Chaney give them two of the best bookend power guys on the inside maybe in the class."
Arkansas Razorback 2019 point guard commitment Justice Hill made a return to the football field for Little Rock Christian, after a year's absence, against Warren on Aug. 29. He admitted to thinking of playing both sports in college.
Hill said the thought of playing football at Arkansas hasn't gone away.
"It's still the same, I'm having fun playing and helping the team," Hill said. "I'm just blessed for the opportunity to do all of these sports. Maybe when I get up there and something happens, maybe I can go help out. Who knows what will happen?"
Hill, 5-10, 160 pounds, posses the speed, quickness and athletic ability to play receiver or defensive back on the next level. He has a scholarship offer from Howard to play football while Arkansas, Houston and Kansas are showing interest.
He and Razorback tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. recently talked.
"He just told me he was watching me and he was going to keep an eye on me and they have seen what I'm doing and how productive I've been," Hill said.
If Hill decides to play football in Fayetteville, he would most likely join the basketball team in December or January depending on the success of the football team. He knows he would have an adjustment period going from football to basketball.
"When you come back to the basketball court from the football field, you have to get your muscles loose again," Hill said. "It's a different type of lean muscle you have to have."
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/12/2017