FAYETTEVILLE — One of Arkansas’ early basketball signees is just over two weeks from getting his season started.
Navarro (Texas) Community College foward Akol Mawein (6-10, 240 pounds), a South Sudan native, and his squad are set to open against visiting McLennan (Texas) Community College at noon on Saturday, Jan. 16.
The Bulldogs, 19-13 last season, will return to campus after a holiday break and start practice again Jan. 4.
“Everybody’s currently home right now for break,” Mawein said. “I’m with one of my teammates and we have been training every day.”
Mawein, the nation’s fourth-best junior college prospect according to 247Sports, is coming off a freshman season with averages of 13.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
He shot 47.5% from the field, 32.8% (21-of-64) from 3-point range and 62.4% from the free throw line.
Mawein has a long relationship with Arkansas associate head coach David Patrick, who recruited him while he was on the coaching staffs at LSU, TCU and California-Riverside.
“Akol Mawein, look, he’s a 6-10, stretch 4-5,” Patrick said. “He can really shoot the three and put the ball on the deck and get to the rim. He does a good job rebounding for his size. He’s not your typical 6-10, 6-11 player. He can play inside and out.”
While at LSU as an assistant along with current Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman, Patrick received a commitment from Mawein, who at the time was playing for Southwest Christian Academy in Little Rock.
Patrick then signed Mawein at California-Riverside, but Mawein matriculated to Navarro and now is headed to Arkansas.
“I remember watching him here in Little Rock at Southwest Christian there and his development has come leaps and bounds,” Patrick said. “We looked at him a lot when I was at TCU and offered him. Thank God he had to go to junior college and we (the Razorbacks) were able to get him on the back side.”
Mawein moved to Australia and Egypt as a youngster, played his sophomore high school season at Montverde (Fla.) Academy and then his final two prep seasons at Southwest Academy.
Mawein signed in November along with McEachern, Ga., swingman Chance Moore (6-5, 195), whose team is off to a 7-2 start and has won six straight.
“He’s a top-five player in the country junior college wise and a much-needed addition for us next year when we lose Vance Jackson,” Patrick said of Mawein.
Mawein’s relationship has been close with Patrick.
“Coach Patrick is like my pops to be honest,” Mawein said. “He’s always looking out for me.”
Mawein is excited about what he has seen from the Razorbacks (8-0) this season as they prepared to open SEC play at Auburn on Wednesday.
“I’ve been watching Arkansas play every time they are on TV,” Mawein said. “They have a unique style of play that I’m already excited about just from watching. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to be part of Razorback nation.”