Tag: Baye Fall

More changes for Hogs as Arkansas center Baye Fall enters transfer portal

It’s shocking, honestly, how quickly things have changed for the Arkansas basketball program.

Six.

That’s the total number of Arkansas basketball players the Razorbacks currently have in tow for the 2024-25 season after center Baye Fall’s entry to the transfer portal Thursday morning. His exit from Arkansas means that both players from coach Eric Musselman’s recruiting Class of 2023 have left the program after just one season.

Fall, like Layden Blocker in the class, was a Top-100 recruit. Blocker had a small rotational role for the Razorbacks while Fall played a total of 44 minutes in nine games. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Musselman’s future in the school is in the up the air after he reportedly interviewed for the head coaching job at Southern California earlier this week. Arkansas struggled to its first sub-.500 season since the John Pelphrey era this year.

Arkansas is currently set to return guard Khalif Battle, wing Tramon Mark and forward Trevon Brazile. Isaiah Elohim and Jalen Shelley are the high-school signees and Josh Cohen committed to Arkansas from the transfer portal from UMass late last month.

Can the Oklahoma Sooners take advantage of Arkansas Razorbacks 3-point defense in Tulsa?

When the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Arkansas Razorbacks, they’ll have opportunities from three-point range. Can they take advantage?

Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves 8-0 for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. They have ripped through their competition, including wins over a USC Trojans team with multiple NBA-caliber players, a high-scoring Iowa team, and a Providence team that beat Wisconsin earlier in the year.

The Sooners still have a few non-conference foes left before they dive head-first into what will be one final grueling and challenging Big 12 slate before they depart for the SEC and its gauntlet next season.

One of their toughest nonconference opponents remaining is Eric Musselman’s Arkansas Razorbacks. The Sooners and Razorbacks will meet again at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. This is the rematch of last year’s game that went 88-78 in favor of the Hogs.

Much has changed from a personnel standpoint on both sides. Milos Uzan is the only starter returning for the Sooners. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks have no starters from that game this year, with the likelihood that projected first-round pick Trevon Brazile will be out after an ankle injury against Furman in their last game.

While only the Sooners come in ranked No. 22 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, this is a resume-building win for either team. It’s a game that could make a big difference when it’s time for the selection committee to evaluate teams pursuing an NCAA tournament bid.

Derek Oxford of Razorbacks Wire gave us time to share his thoughts on questions surrounding Arkansas as we head into this pivotal clash between future conference foes.

He’s back! Makhi Mitchell officially announces return to Arkansas

Eric Musselman’s roster for next season continues to take shape after a big piece from last season’s team announces his return.

[autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag]’s roster for next season is continuing to take shape as he’s received another firm commitment.

Center [autotag]Makhi Mitchell[/autotag] officially announced that he would be returning to the Razorbacks next season. He posted his announcement on Instagram with the caption “I’m back” and “Hog nation….Let’s run it back #WPS.”

Mitchell’s decision to return may come as a surprise after his twin brother, Makhel, opted to enter the transfer portal back in early April. The two brothers had previously followed each to Maryland, Rhode Island and then Fayetteville.

Last season, Makhi was able to crack into the main rotation early on and become a reliable force down low for the Razorbacks. He appeared in all 36 games, averaging 7.0 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.1 AST, 1.4 BLK and 66.2% FG in 20.1 minutes of action.

Mitchell’s return is huge for a team that was lacking depth and a true traditional big on the roster as things stood. He will join [autotag]Trevon Brazile[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Graham[/autotag] and incoming freshman [autotag]Baye Fall[/autotag] in the Razorback frontcourt next season.

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Baye Fall has some Daniel Gafford to him in McDonald’s All-American Game

Baye Fall played only 12 minutes, but his defense was elite against the nation’s best.

Arkansas basketball fans received their first look at future center Baye Fall on Tuesday night at the McDonald’s All-American game.

The 6-foot-10 big man from Colorado signed with the Razorbacks over the winter as the headliner of Arkansas’ Class of 2023 alongside guard Layden Blocker. It was clear in the game Tuesday, his defensive prowess is college ready.

Fall scored two points and had four rebounds in 12 minutes, but contesting shots was his real strength. Fall changed four shots that resulted in misses for his West team as even the most elite players in high-school basketball in the country struggled to get to the hoop against him.

As of Wednesday morning, the only player leaving Arkansas for the 2023-24 season was forward Kamani Johnson, whose eligibility has been exhausted. The Razorbacks are expected to lose both Nick Smith Jr. and Anthony Black to the NBA draft and could see Ricky Council, Jordan Walsh and Trevon Brazile exit professionally, too, though that’s less likely.

Coach Eric Musselman is also expected to be active in the transfer portal, which, in turn, means he expects at least a couple of players from this year’s team to leave.

Fall, the No. 16 recruit in the country, is expected to step quickly into a rotational role with the Hogs next year, regardless of who returns.

Hogs have two players Class of 2023 and both up for National Player of the Year

Arkansas’ only two commits so far are so good they’re up for National Player of the Year honors.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman landed two five-star recruits over the last week in the Class of 2023. He doesn’t need many more, either.

The two commits – center Baye Fall and guard Layden Blocker – are both national Top 25 players in the country. And on Wednesday, both were named to the Nasiman Boys High School Player of the Year watch list.

Fall, a 6-foot-10 big from Denver, isn’t a traditional post player, though some say he reminds them of former Arkansas center Daniel Gafford. Fall has more of a jump shot and is less of a rim protector than the now-Washington Wizards center. Fall chose Arkansas Tuesday night.

Blocker committed to Arkansas on November 13. He is a Little Rock native who transferred to a school in Wichita this past season.

Arkansas has four seniors on its 2022-23 roster. All of them transferred in via the portal in the offseason.

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Arkansas basketball lands five-star center Baye Fall

Eric Musselman has done it again. Arkansas basketball lands another five-star recruit for 2023.

It seems Eric Musselman and Arkansas basketball can’t be stop when it comes to recruiting. Baye Fall, a five-star center, is the latest highly-coveted recruit to sign with the Hogs for 2023.

His commitment makes him the fifth five-star recruit to choose the Hogs since Musselman arrived in Fayetteville.

At 6-foot-10, Fall is currently rated as the No. 16 overall prospect and No. 3 center prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com.

Fall is an uber-athletic big who can run the floor exceptionally well and protect the rim. He has very solid lateral quickness, which helps him hold is own against smaller guards and wings on the perimeter. His elite athleticism combined with his size help him excel at rebounding on both ends of the floor.

He’s an excellent foul shooter and has a respectable outside jumpshot. His strength and interior offense are both areas of concern, but will most likely be addressed once he arrives in Fayetteville.

“I wanted a great fit for my playing style,” Fall said in an interview with the Denver Post on Sunday. “Somewhere that I’m going to be held accountable and … (will help me) be able to just get to the next level the best way possible.”

Assane Diop, a four-star teammate of Fall’s at Accelerated Prep in Denver, also had Arkansas as one of his final three schools, but ultimately chose to commit to Colorado.

Fall is the second five-star recruit to commit to play for the Hogs in 2023. He joins Layden Blocker, a five-star point guard who signed with Arkansas this past Saturday.

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Five-star point guard Layden Blocker officially signs with Arkansas

Arkansas basketball signs first official member of 2023 recruiting class, five-star point guard Layden Blocker.

Eric Musselman and the Arkansas basketball team have officially signed their first commitment from the 2023 recruiting class.

Five-star point guard Layden Blocker signed his National Letter of Intent in Fayetteville on Saturday after leading Sunrise Christian to an 86-53 win over Colorado Prep earlier in the day.

Blocker, a 6-foot-2 point guard, is ranked as the 25th overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247 Sports composite rankings. He also becomes the fourth five-star prospect that Musselman has signed since arriving in Fayetteville, joining Nick Smith Jr., Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh.

The Arkansas native exploded on the scene while playing at Little Rock Christian Academy before transferring to play at the high-profile Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita (Kan.). The prep school has produced some notable alums such as Buddy Hield (Indiana Pacers), Kennedy Chandler (Memphis Grizzlies) and Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers).

This is the first domino to fall for Musselman’s 2023 class, but it certainly won’t be the last. The transfer portal will once again be a busy place at season’s end, and the Hogs are in a good spot with a pair of talented big men from Accelerated Prep Academy in Denver (Colo.).

Highly-coveted five-star forward Baye Fall and his teammate, four-star Assane Diop, have each narrowed down their list of schools to three and included the Hogs.

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Five-star Baye Fall has Rutgers basketball in his top seven

Rutgers basketball lands in the top seven for five-star Baye Fall.

Baye Fall has included Rutgers basketball in his top seven. It is huge news for the Scarlet Knights to be in with the talented five-star center.

Arkansas, Kansas State, Texas, Seton Hall, Auburn, Colorado and Rutgers made the top seven for Fall. According to 247Sports, he is a five-star recruit and the No. 16 player in the nation.

The 6-foot-10 standout plays for Lutheran High School (Parker, CO). Last season, he averaged 21.3 points 10.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game for his program.

The Lions went 16-1 a season ago.

After announcing his top seven over the weekend, Fall broke down his final group of schools to On3. Rutgers, he says, is forming a strong relationship:

“Rutgers develops a lot of guys. I have a good relationship with the head coach (Steve) Pikiell and coach (Karl) Hobbs,” Fall told On3.

“They know my family. I’m looking forward to my visit there and just having fun.”

Fall is a tremendous athlete who runs the court very well. His footwork is strong and he is capable of playing above the rim.

 

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He follows up shots well and defensively has great anticipation. In the post, he invites contact.

So far in the class of 2023, Rutgers has four-star small forward Gavin Griffiths. He is the No. 31 player in the nation in the 247Sports Composite.

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Five-star center includes Arkansas in top five list

Baye Fall is the No. 10 overall prospect for the 2023 recruiting cycle according to On3.

After a successful 2022 cycle, the Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to keep the momentum going on the recruiting trail by adding a talented big man to their roster.

[autotag]Baye Fall[/autotag], a 6-foot-10 center and a member of the class of 2023 from Denver, Colorado, recently revealed his top schools, with Arkansas making the cut.

When discussing Arkansas, Fall tells On3’s Joe Tipton that Arkansas has an electric feel to it.

“Arkansas is like a transition team. They run a lot, and I like how they run. How they let their guys play free, I love that about them,” Fall said. “I mess with the coaching staff and I like the energy out there. I really love the energy.”

The energy, as well as the relationship that he has developed with the Arkansas coaching staff, has made an impression on Fall. According to both On3 and 247Sports, Arkansas is the top candidate to earn Fall’s commitment.

Fall is the No. 1 player in the state of Colorado, and is the top center in the nation according to On3. In addition to Arkansas, Fall is considering Auburn, Colorado, Kansas State, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and Texas. Arkansas currently has one commit for the 2023 cycle in four-star point guard [autotag]Layden Blocker[/autotag].

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5-star center Baye Fall includes Auburn in final 7

Auburn made the cut for the best center prospect in the country.

Auburn is in the final group for the nation’s No. 1 center prospect [autotag]Baye Fall[/autotag].

Fall announced his final seven schools Friday and Auburn will be battling Arkansas, Kansas State, Texas, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and Colorado for the 6-foot-10 Fall.

He is ranked as the No. 13 overall player and No. 1 player from Colorado in the 247Sports composite ranking for the 2023 recruiting class. He took an official visit to Auburn on June 20 and the Tigers have been heavily involved in his recruitment ever since.

Fall is a gifted athlete and like most high school seniors his offensive game is still very raw but he thrives as an offensive rebounder and getting put-back dunks. His length helps him not only block shots but also get into passing lanes.

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