FAYETTEVILLE — New Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman will find loaded 2020 and 2021 in-state recruiting classes to get involved with when he arrives in Fayetteville on Sunday night.
It’s clear that many of them are receptive to hearing what the former Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings head coach has to say, including West Memphis junior Chris Moore (6-6, 220), one of three Arkansas 2020 players ranked among the top 150 juniors nationally.
“The fact that he coached with Golden State and in the NBA is certainly something that has been interesting,” Moore said. “I’m looking forward to meeting him and talking to him. It’s an exciting hire for Arkansas.”
Musselman, who was 110-34 at Nevada over the last four seasons with a Sweet 16 appearance and three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, agreed to contract terms Sunday afternoon.
He boarded a flight to Fayetteville with his family and Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek.
Moore joins former North Little Rock and current Montverde (Fla.) Academy Moses Moody (6-5, 180), Fort Smith Northside center Jaylin Williams (6-10, 220), Jacksonville point guard Davonta Davis (6-4, 175), Marion guard Detrick Reeves (6-3, 170), Bryant guard Khalen Robinson (5-10, 160) and Waldron shooting guard Payton Brown (6-3, 180) as the state’s top juniors.
Moody is ranked 26th nationally in ESPN’s Top 60, 36th by 24/7 and 48th by Rivals while Davis is ranked 95th by 24/7 and 128th by Rivals. Moore is 132nd by Rivals and 138th by 24/7.
The 2021 class has talent such as former Jacksonville standout Gerald Doakes (6-1, 180) of Houston (Texas) Milby, the Jacksonville duo of Ryan Maxwell (6-6, 203) and Jordan Maxwell (6-4, 170), Little Rock Mills guard Madison Peaster (6-1, 170), Sylvan Hills guard Jalen Ricks (6-5, 170), and Marianna guard Terran Williams (6-4, 175).
The top 2022 talent in state so far appears to be Sylvan Hills guard Nick Smith (6-3, 170).
“Arkansas has a lot of talent in-state right now that a lot of people in the country don’t see,” Davis said. “But there are a lot of kids right now in Arkansas playing at a high level.”
Moore, Williams, Davis and Brown all play for the Arkansas Woodz Elite AAU organization and Moody for Bradley Beal Elite.
Those five players will all be on the court Friday night at 7:45 p.m. at Fayetteville High as the three-day Warmup Tournament begins.
Williams is just off leading his team to the Class 6A state title.
“It is good to hear about all the experience he (Musselman) had coming into this,” Williams said. “We’ll see how it goes down up there, but I am certainly interested in what’s going on.”
Davis committed to Oklahoma State back on Dec. 2 over Arkansas, Auburn, Oregon and others.
“I am not really thinking about college now, just about my spring right now, but most definitely if he (Musselman) gets in touch with my coaches, I will for sure listen,” Davis said.
Brown is one of the state’s most prolific scorers and averaged 32 points per game this summer. He is committed to UCA, but hoping to hear from Mussleman and his staff.
“I’d be very interested if they offered me,” Brown said. “It would give me a lot to think about. I know he did great at Nevada and is a good coach.”
Ricks is hoping that Musselman focuses on landing in-state prospects.
“I think it’s a great hire, a coach with a lot of experience coaching basketball on different levels and I hope Arkansas continues to recruit the in-state talent,” Ricks said.
Jordan Maxwell is excited about the hire of Musselman.
“I think it's a pretty good hire looking at his history at Nevada. He knows how to win,” Maxwell said. “He brings that passion for the game, something I think is needed.
“He has to hit the ground running to keep kids from transferring and focus on recruiting to keep some of the top kids here in the state. I’m looking forward to seeing him go to work and bring the Hogs back on top.”
Ryan Maxwell is ready to meet the Razorbacks head coach.
“I'm excited, and hope I can meet him. He has a lot of experience, even the NBA,” Maxwell said.
Smith is a few years away from signing, but likes the move.
“I think it was a great hire for the program,” Smith said. “Coach was able to help build a winning program at Nevada and hopefully he does the same for the Razorbacks.”