Category: Pro Hogs: Non-NFL

WATCH: Jordan Walsh goes 3 for 3 to start in NBA Summer League game

Jordan Walsh the long range bomber? Maybe Boston Celtic fans are going to get more than they bargained for out of their second round pick.

Jordan Walsh could knock down threes for Arkansas last year, but by no means was he a 3-point specialist.

Maybe that’s going to change in the NBA.

The Boston Celtics are playing the Miami Heat in a Summer League game this afternoon and Walsh is feeling it from downtown.

Walsh has an impressive repertoire of shots made and could push for major playing time as a rookie if this shooting acumen continues.

He ended the game with 18 points, hitting 4 of 6 3-pointers while contributing five rebounds, two steals and a block in 31 minutes in Boston’s 99-88 loss to the Heat.

Campbell throws scoreless inning in first MLB outing

Isaiah Campbell got his first big league action on Friday night, striking out the Astros’ Jake Meyers to end the eighth inning.

It was a day later than expected, but Isaiah Campbell got his first Major League baseball action for the Seattle Mariners.

Campbell threw a scoreless eighth inning for the Mariners in their 10-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

His strikeout of Jake Meyers ended the frame. He didn’t give up a hit or walk anyone and set up the closer.

The Mariners are in action again tonight at 6:15 p.m. on Fox against Houston.

Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh ink NBA contracts

Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh signed their first NBA contracts this week with the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, respectively.

Both Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh have signed their first NBA contracts as of Friday.

Black, who was the sixth overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2023 draft, is the highest selected Razorback since Joe Kleine also went sixth in the 1985 draft.

Former Razorback Au’Diese Toney is on the Magic’s Summer League roster with Black.

Walsh, meanwhile, was the 38th overall pick of the 2023 draft and was the Celtics’ only second-round selection.

The Celtics are looking at a number of different roles for Walsh in their restructuring after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat.

Nick Smith Jr.’s contract went to scale with the Charlotte Hornets.

Isaiah Campbell set to make MLB debut Thursday

Former Arkansas Razorback pitcher Isaiah Campbell will make his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

Yet another former Arkansas Razorback will find his way onto a Major League Baseball diamond.

The Seattle Mariners announced they were calling up former right-hander Isaiah Campbell late Wednesday.

Campbell was impressive in his stint with the Travelers this season, and should make an immediate impact on the Mariners’ staff.

It was originally announced that he would start, but George Kirby is now getting the ball.

According to HogFlashbacks, Campbell will become the 64th Razorback to play in the Major Leagues.

Seattle will play at Houston at 7:10 p.m. this evening.

Campbell was nothing short of spectacular during his final season at Arkansas, going 12-1 with a 2.13 ERA, striking out 125 batters and only walking 22.

He helped lead the Razorbacks to the College World Series, where they fell to Florida State and Texas Tech in consecutive one-run defeats.

James McCann appreciates veteran role for young hot Baltimore Orioles

The 33-year old former Diamond Hog is thriving as the “veteran guy” in the Baltimore Orioles locker room.

James McCann was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in December, and the 33-year-old was curious as to how he would fit in with an Orioles squad loaded with players under 30.

After a quick stint on the IR, McCann is back in the clubhouse as the veteran backup catcher to Adley Rutschman.

McCann is one of the few Diamond Hogs currently playing in the MLB, and his time in Fayetteville should indicate why he is viewed as one of the mentors in the Orioles clubhouse.

“There’s a lot in my career that I can draw back on experience-wise and share and help really every player, whether it’s a pitcher or a hitter,” he told The Athletic about being the veteran guy.

“In working with Adley, I’ve been able to talk through some stuff with him. I really valued the veterans on my teams when I was a young player. So, hopefully, these young guys will look back on who I am and value what I brought to their careers as well.”

McCann was only a sophomore when he was named captain of a squad and hit one of the most memorable home runs in Razorback history. 

Now McCann is a mentor to the Orioles’ best player, Rutschman.

“I’ve said this really since day one. His talent is off the charts. Everyone knows that. But the way he goes about his business, his work ethic, who he is as a person, as a teammate, makes him even better. He’s a great guy to work with and we have a really good working relationship and friendship.”

McCann’s bat hasn’t been as good as his leadership so far, only batting .194 at the plate, but his presence is obviously more important.

Former Hogs guard Patrick Beverley signs with 76ers

Only Joe Johnson, Joe Kleine and Jannero Pargo will have played more seasons in the NBA as ex-Hogs than Beverley.

Patrick Beverely has a new home.

The former Arkansas guard, who continues to be one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in the NBA even at age 34, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers over the weekend.

Beverley will be entering his 11th season in the league and is still a full-time starter, playing that role in all 68 games he played last year for the Lakers and Bulls. He finished the season in Chicago and averaged 6.2 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 34% from 3-point range.

Philadelphia needed guard help after losing Shake Milton and Georges Niang hours earlier and Beverley fit the bill for one year at $3.2 million.

Beverley will join Alvin Robertson, Sidney Moncrief, Andrew Lang, Oliver Miller and Corliss Williamson as the only former Razorbacks who have played exactly 11 seasons in the NBA. Should Beverley play in 2024-25, he will be behind just Joe Johnson, Joe Kleine and Jannergo Pargo for most seasons played by ex-Arkansas players.

Pro Diamond Hogs: How former Arkansas players are faring in MLB – June 18

Heston Kjerstad is pushing to be a big part of the Orioles’ future while Hogs already in The Show keep plugging away.

Our weekly update of how former Arkansas baseball players are doing or have done in in the Major League this year continues today.

As of Sunday, eight former Diamond Hogs were on MLB rosters. Some have been there a long time and some are just starting their careers. And that doesn’t count those who have tasted the bigs this year, too, which we’ll also track.

On top of that, we’ll list the guys below – in text – who are just around the corner from their first cups of coffee.

But for now, let’s look at those who have stuck around in 2023 with the images and captures.

Pro Diamond Hogs: How former Arkansas players are faring in MLB – June 11

Eight former Hogs are in the majors and a couple are mighty close and killing it at Triple-A.

Our weekly Sunday update of how former Arkansas baseball players are doing or have done in in the Major League this year kicks off today.

As of Sunday, eight former Diamond Hogs were on MLB rosters. Some have been there a long time and some are just starting their careers. And that doesn’t count those who have tasted the bigs this year, too, which we’ll also track.

On top of that, we’ll list the guys below – in text – who are just around the corner from their first cups of coffee.

But for now, let’s look at those who have stuck around in 2023 with the images and captures.

Former Razorback Bobby Portis to represent Team USA this summer

Former Arkansas star Bobby Portis is representing Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.

Arkansas legend and current Milwaukee Bucks forward, [autotag]Bobby Portis[/autotag], has committed to representing Team USA for 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.

According to a report from Shams Charania of the Athletic, Portis will be joining Team USA’s roster which includes NBA All-Stars Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) and Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), rising stars Jalen Brunson (Knicks) and Mikal Bridges (Nets) and even fellow Arkansas native Austin Reaves (Lakers).

“Portis, 28, is an eight-year NBA vet and versatile big man off the Bucks’ bench,” Charania said. “A similar role is likely on Team USA.”

As Charania alluded to, the former Razorback just finished his eighth year in the NBA and it was his best season of his career statistically. Portis averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while being named a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Team USA will start their training camp Aug. 3 in Las Vegas before playing their first exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Aug. 7. They will take a two-week exhibition trip to Spain and the United Emirates before beginning the 2023 FIBA World Cup against New Zealand on Aug. 26.

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Jaylin Williams has friendly bet with OKC Thunder teammate Jalen Williams

Jaylin Williams and Jalen Williams have a friendly wager on the Fayetteville Regional opener on Friday, with Santa Clara taking on the Razorbacks.

If you look up Ja. Williams and Ja. Williams in an Oklahoma City Thunder box score, good luck distinguishing between the two.

Jaylin Williams is of course the former Arkansas Razorback by way of Fort Smith, who was a second round pick of the Thunder in 2022.

Their first round pick that year was Jalen Williams, who starred for Santa Clara for three years before being taken 12th overall by OKC.

The pair had a friendly wager that they made public on Twitter since the Diamond Hogs host Santa Clara in the Fayetteville Regional opener on Friday at 2 p.m.

If Arkansas wins the game, Jalen Williams will be in Hog regalia in Bud Walton next year.

Likewise, if Santa Clara wins, Jaylin Williams will be in Broncos gear in Santa Clara.