Calipari, Arkansas extend first in-state Class of 2026 offer to 5-star JaShawn “JJ” Andrews

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas head coach John Calipari has offered a scholarship to in-state class of 2026 5-star prospect JaShawn “JJ” Andrews.

Andrews announced his new Hoop Hogs offer — or re-offer given he held an offer from the previous UA coaching staff — via social media on Monday, citing a “great conversation” with Calipari and associate head coach Chin Coleman.

Andrews  (6-6 wing, 210 pounds, 7-0 wingspan, Little Rock Christian Academy, ESPN national No. 15 / 5-star prospect) is the first in-state recruit from the class of 2026 to receive an offer from Calipari, who watched Andrews compete throughout the 2024 spring and summer including most recently during Andrews’ championship March through the Nike E16 Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. (July 13-21).

Andrews had 17 points (7-of-10 field goals, including 1-of-2 from 3, and 2-of-2 free throws), 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block to help 16U Brad Beal Elite defeat 16U Team CP3, 74-67, to win the Nike E16 Peach Jam championship on Sunday.

In the final minute of the title game that was tied at 67-all, Andrews beat a fullcourt press to deliver a lob-pass for the go-ahead dunk, dove on the floor on the ensuing defensive possession to force a turnover, and punctuated the game-ending 7-0 run with his own dunk in transition.

In four games during Nike E16 Peach Jam including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and title game, Andrews averaged 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per outing while shooting 68.3% from the field and 78.1% from the free throw line.

Andrews was a double-double machine (points and rebounds) for both LRCA last season (19 total double-doubles when he averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as a sophomore) as he was named MVP of the team’s second consecutive 4A state championship as well as 16U Brad Beal Elite this spring and summer playing on the Nike E16 circuit.

In addition to the Hoop Hogs, Andrews holds multiple high-major Division 1 offers including from Illinois, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas Tech, and Marquette.

Andrews is a sturdy, long, athletic, and active talent who impacts winning at both both ends of the floor, and his perimeter game offensively continues to emerge.

Andrews’ father, Shawn Andrews, was a two-time All American offensive lineman (2002 and 2023) at Arkansas, and he went on to star for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL as a two-time Pro Bowler (2006 and 2007) and a one-time first-team All Pro (2006).