2026 national Top 25 prospect JJ Andrews commits to Arkansas

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK — Priority in-state target, 2024-25 Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, and ESPN national No. 22 / 4-star prospect JaShawn “JJ” Andrews committed to Arkansas on Thursday, becoming Head Hog John Calipari’s first pledge in the class of 2026.

Andrews (6-6 wing, Little Rock Christian Academy) chose the Razorbacks over Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, Marquette, and a host of other high major programs.

A source told Hogville that Calipari’s personal recruiting efforts spanning the past three weeks cemented Andrews’ choice to be a Razorback.

He made his announcement during a public ceremony at LRCA on Thursday afternoon. He’s expected to officially sign with Arkansas during the week-long early signing period in November.

Calipari and the Hoop Hogs coaching staff began making Andrews a recruiting priority going back to last spring, eventually offering him a scholarship in July 2024.

Calipari had previously been to the Little Rock area multiple times to see Andrews, including the Warriors’ game against Springdale that was played in Jacksonville in November 2024.

Andrews averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) for LRCA as a junior last season playing in the state 5A classification, and as a freshman and sophomore he helped lead the Warriors to back-to-back 4A state titles, earning championship game MVP honors as a sophomore in ’23-24.

He led 16U Brad Beal Elite to the prestigious Nike E16 championship in July 2024, and through his first three games on the 17U Nike EYBL circuit that were played in April, Andrews averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals while shooting 71.9% from the field, including 50.0% from 3.

Andrews becomes Calipari’s second in-state pledge since leaving Kentucky for Arkansas last year as he joins 2025 Isaiah Sealy of Springdale, who committed to and signed with Arkansas in November 2024.

He’s also a Razorbacks legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, Shawn Andrews. a Camden native who was an All American as an offensive lineman for the Football Hogs in the early 2000’s before going on to two all star seasons and one all pro campaign in the NFL later in the same decade.

As a player, JJ Andrews is a chiseled, strong, sturdy lefty slasher who demonstrates a relentless determination as a competitor at both ends of the court.