Arkansas’ basketball program landed one of of its biggest 2018 recruiting targets on Saturday when ESPN four-star point guard Keyshawn Embery pledged to sign with the Razorbacks.
Embery (6-4, 187 pounds), who is playing his senior season at IMG Academy in Florida, averaged 26.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals last season for Midwest City High School near Oklahoma City.
He chose Arkansas over co-finalist Texas A&M as well as Butler, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Kansas State and several other offers.
“On both of my visits (to Arkansas), it just felt like home,” Embery said. “I thought I would just fit in right away. When I came back from the second visit, I was sure. I love the coaching staff, the players how they bond with each other and how they get along so well and how they just are around each other all the time like brothers.
“When I was up there, I felt as comfortable as when I was in Midwest City and that was big for me.”
Embery is good friends with Baton Rouge, La., Madison Central forward Josh LeBlanc, (6-7, 210) who officially visited Arkansas on Aug. 25-27 and plans to announce his decision Nov. 12.
“I am hoping the chances are good at getting him to come play with me,” Embery said. “I am working on it hard.”
Embery is Arkansas' fourth commit in the 2018 class, joining Little Rock Pakrview's Ethan Henderson (6-9, 190), Fort Smith Northside's Isaiah Joe (6-4, 170) and and Jonesboro's Desi Sills (6-1, 170).
Jermaine Simpson, Embery’s father, praised the recruiting effort of Arkansas coach Mike Anderson and assistant TJ Cleveland.
“I love the program as a whole and know all the history of it, although I had to update him on it,” Simpson said. “I also love where they are headed. The players they are bringing in with him, the ones that will still be there when he arrives there and we see a lot of positives in that.
“We know that he can’t do it by himself so that was a major factor in his decision.
“As far as the coaching staff, Coach TJ Cleveland did a great job with being upfront and honest with us and was very easy to deal with. And if you know Coach Anderson, he’s real, he’s very blunt and very honest and up front with us.”
Embery is excited about playing for Anderson.
“He just wants me to be me - score when I need to, facilitate when I need to, just come in and take on a big load as a freshman,” Embery said. “He wants me to continue to improve at IMG and get ready to come in be ready to play right away.”
Embery sized up his game minutes after committing to Arkansas.
“I think I am a two-way player, very aggressive and I attack the rim and can shoot the ball,” Embery said. “Of course I want to continue to get better and I can always improve on my ball- handling and just the little things.”
Another key factor for Embery was the Razorback Performance Center, a practice facility opened two years ago that also includes weight-lifting and training areas.
“I really love the practice facility,” Embery said. “I love the 24-hour access and I know I will always be in there because I love to work.”
Embery led Midwest City to a 28-3 record last season, but chose to take the opportunity to transfer to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for his final high school campaign.
“I think it will help me take another step up competitively from Midwest City,” Embery said. “I love Midwest City...but at the same time I had to do what is best for me and my family in the long run.
“It was a big transition at IMG that first week as I was waiting for all my teammates to come in and get everything together and get ready, but it’s good now.”
Simpson is a fan of what IMG has to offer Embery.
“I think it is going to help him a lot,” Simpson said. “The schedule they keep, the meal plan, the nutritionist, the training and everything is just designed like a year of college.
“Selfishly, I would love to have him here with us and see him play every single game his senior year, but we want him to ready to take advantage of this and be ready to play day one at Arkansas.”