ESPN 5-star prospect Jordan Walsh has committed to Arkansas, giving coach Eric Musselman two 5-star prospects in the 2022 class.
Walsh, 6-7, 200 pounds, of Link Academy in Branson, Mo., picked the Razorbacks over Texas, Kansas, TCU, Arizona State, Oklahoma, and numerous other programs.
He announced his pledge on Instagram with ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi. Shortly after, a short version of the Hog Call was heard in the background.
“Coach believed in me since Day 1,” Walsh said when asked why he chose Arkansas. “It’s a great environment. The fan base is crazy. The coaching staff is focused on winning. It’s just a great environment for me to be able to succeed on the next level, and I feel like with the team being there with the team he’s building I have much trust in everybody that’s going there.
"I have much trust in the guys going there next year to do great and be able to get to that next level better than they did last year. Even though they had a great run I feel like all that together makes it the program for me.”
He mentioned when Musselman and the staff found out about his commitment
“When I told Paul I was going to Arkansas,” Walsh said.
Walsh spoke to Musselman and the staff after his announcement.
“They were like why are you tricking us man?” Walsh said. “He was like he’s throwing party."
As a freshman, Walsh led Oak Cliff (Texas) Faith and Family to a 36-6 record and its first Class 4A state title. He averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists per game as a junior for a squad that finished 25-6.
Musselman’s plan is to get Walsh to the NBA as soon as possible, and that was illustrated on a 5x15 white board in a conference room in the practice facility during his official visit.
“They wrote on the whole thing about my plan for me as soon as I step on campus, every week, every practice what I’m going to be doing and achievements and they just drew it out and put it out in front of me like, 'This is the plan for you,'” Walsh said. “We’re going to get you here and we’re going to get you out in the least amount of time possible.
"It was great to see that, for sure.”
ESPN also rates him the No. 2 small forward and No. 7 overall prospect in the nation. A native of Desoto, Texas, Walsh officially visited Arkansas, Texas, Arizona State, Kansas, TCU and Oklahoma.
ESPN 5-star guard and No. 6 overall prospect Nick Smith Jr. committed to Arkansas in September. Walsh’s commitment gives Arkansas two 5-star commitments during the recruiting services era for the first time.
Walsh said he and Smith had been communicating prior to his announcement.
“He kept asking me where I was going,” Walsh said. “He didn’t believe I was going to Arkansas, but I couldn’t tell him, but he kept asking me about it.”
Biancardi asked about him and Smith playing on the wing.
“It’s dangerous. It’s dangerous,” Walsh said.
Several Razorback fans attended his announcement in the Dallas area.
“They’re just so supportive,” he said. “There were some Arkansas alumni here and that’s crazy to me. They were in the back just watching and cheering.”
The addition of Walsh puts the Razorbacks' class No. 2 nationally behind Duke. The Blue Devils are the only other school with multiple members of ESPN's top 10 prospects committed. Duke has three pledges in the top 10.
Arkansas also has 2022 pledges from ESPN 4-star shooting guard Joseph Pinion of Morrilton, ESPN 4-star guard Derrian Ford of Magnolia and ESPN 4-star small forward Barry Dunning of Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen Catholic.
The Razorbacks are also in contention for ESPN 4-star Anthony Black, the No. 26 overall recruit in the nation for the 2022 class. He is expected to announce his decision in the near future.