Calipari, Arkansas land commitment from 20-year-old Lebanese forward Karim Rtail

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas and Head Hog John Calipari have landed their first non-high-school-player recruiting prize of the 2025 class in 20-year-old Lebanese forward Karim Rtail, according to one of his agent representative’s, Ahmed Awadallah, who informed Hogville of Rtail’s commitment to Arkansas at 3:21 p.m. CT on Wednesday.

“Karim Rtail has verbally committed to Arkansas!!!” was Awadallah’s message that landed in my text inbox.

Rtail (6-9 forward) chose the Hoop Hogs over Penn State, SMU, and Butler.

“He is working on his student visa and planning on enrolling for Summer 1 in May,” Awadallah said.

Earlier in March, Rtail’s lead agent, Daniel Poneman, talked to Hogville about Rtail’s interest in the Razorbacks.

“(Arkansas) Interest level is high, and if he does take visits, I expect Arkansas to get one,” Poneman told Hogville on March 7.

A day later on March 8, Awadallah shared with Hogville his thoughts on Rtail as a player with some biographical information on Rtail’s journey in basketball.

“Karim Rtail is a versatile 6-9 forward from Lebanon, and had played in Lithuania pro league as a teen for a few years known for his ability to play 1-through-4 with both Lebanon & his team in Lithuania,” Awadallah said. “During the 2024-25 season with Neptunas-Akvaservis Klaipeda in Lithuania’s league, he averaged 8.6 points per game on 49.4% shooting, along with 4.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

“During the Asia & World Cup U19 in 2023, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists. His diverse skill set includes scoring from all three levels, a solid handle allowing him to drive to the basket, and his ability to score from inside & shoot the 3.”

The addition of Rtail gives Calipari and the Hogs a total of four committed players in what was already a top 5-ranked high school recruiting class as he joins 2025 national Top 5 / 5-star Darius Acuff, Jr. (6-3 guard, Detroit native, IMG Academy, pledged to the Hogs in late July 2024 and signed in November 2024); 2025 national Top 10 / 5-star Meleek Thomas (6-4 guard, Pittsburgh native, Overtime Elite, pledged to and signed with the Hogs in mid-November 2024); and national Top 70 / 4-star Isaiah Sealy (6-7 combo guard / wing, Springdale, pledged to and signed with the Hogs in mid-November 2024).