Calipari, Arkansas set up fast-approaching fall visits with 2025 recruits in quest to add multiple 5-star pledges

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas remains ahead of the college basketball pack in terms of picking up the first top-10-ranked 5-star commitment in what looks to be a historically rich national class of 2025, and iconic Razorbacks head coach John Calipari is looking to pile on with more 5-star pledges moving forward.

Talented senior Darius Acuff, Jr. (6-3 guard, Detroit native, IMG Academy, 247Sports national No. 4 / 5-star prospect) got the blue-chip party started by committing to Calipari and the Hoop Hogs in late July (details are included in my linked Acuff commitment article published at Hogville: https://forums.hogville.net/index.php?topic=767963.0).

Another Top 5-ranked 5-star prospect in 2025, Caleb Wilson (6-9 combo forward, Atlanta, composite national No. 4 / 5-star prospect), said he plans to visit Arkansas in the fall and has been talking with Acuff about playing together in college.

“Yeah, Darius Acuff,” Wilson answered during a July interview with Hogville when asked if he’d been in touch with other prospects about possibly playing together at the high-major Division 1 level. “He’s probably going to Arkansas, he’s really favored to go there. Other than that, I haven’t really heard from anyone else.”

Wilson told Hogville that in addition to setting up a visit to Fayetteville he plans to visit Duke, Tennessee, Oregon, and Georgia Tech.

He later released a Top 12 list of programs that included those five schools plus Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, North Carolina, Southern California, Ohio State, and Central Florida. He was recently on USC’s campus and has upcoming visits scheduled and publicly known to Alabama (Sept. 6) and Kentucky (Sept. 13).

A source told Hogville that Wilson has a visit date to Arkansas in mind if not set in stone (has not been announced publicly), and multiple sources have expressed to Hogville that Calipari and the Razorbacks are believed to be the leaders for his services.

“I’m definitely going to take a visit to Arkansas,” he said. “Haven’t picked a date yet, it’s going to be on a (Razorbacks) football weekend I believe. I took a visit to Kentucky when he (Calipari) was there, but when he first got the Arkansas job he came down to my school and gave me the offer. He said Arkansas has much more resources and things that are beneficial to players.”

Wilson is arguably the top two-way player (offense/defense) in a loaded 2025 class, and he described his biggest attraction to Arkansas when considering Fayetteville as a college destination.

“Coach Cal’s propensity to make pros,” Wilson said. “He’s really good at pushing players to perform at their highest levels and hold players accountable. I like his offensive schemes and sets, and I like how they coach.”

Prior to starring on 17U Nightrydas Elite’s run to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship in July, Wilson said he worked out with a couple of future Naismith Hall of Famers.

“I worked out two or three times a day the whole month of June,” Wilson said. “I worked out with LeBron (James) and Anthony Davis.”

That hard work paid off as Wilson was arguably the best two-way player at Peach Jam as he averaged 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 60.6% from the field. During the late-August SLAM Summer Classic played at famous Rucker Park in New York City, Wilson notched a double-double: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Asked to summarize himself a player, Wilson said: “Really versatile, can do everything that needs to be done, a matchup nightmare.”

Hogville’s current take on Wilson’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): HOT.

Although Calipari has been on record multiple times in recent months proclaiming a new philosophy of limiting his annual high school classes to three or four players, the 2025 class may prove to be too good for him to stick to that new line of thinking. The list of other 2025 5-star prizes (as well a couple of Top 50ish-ranked prospects) who have legitimate interest in Arkansas includes …

– Meleek Thomas (6-4 guard, Pittsburgh native, Overtime Elite, composite national No. 6 / 5-star prospect) has a visit date to Arkansas set (although it has not been publicly announced), according to a source, after previously postponing his late-June visit to Fayetteville. Multiple sources indicate Thomas is most likely down to a final three of Arkansas, UConn, and Kansas State, although his Top 7 list of schools also includes Kansas, Alabama, Auburn, and home-state Pitt. One source believes Arkansas has the inside track to land Thomas after his visits play out. “I like Arkansas as one of my top schools,” Thomas told Hogville in late May. “I ride with Coach Cal, so he moved over there and his staff went over with him. I don’t know how much I’ll look into it, but I ride with Coach Cal so I’m going to go check it out and take my visit … ” In addition to UConn, Thomas (20.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game for 17U New Heights Lightning during Nike EYBL session play in the spring) has already visited Auburn and Pitt and has expressed interest in visiting Kansas, Kansas State, and Alabama. Hogville’s current take on Meleek Thomas’ interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): Upgraded to HOT.

– Koa Peat (6-8 forward, Gilbert, Ariz., composite national No. 5 / 5-star prospect) has an official visit date set to Arkansas for the weekend of Sept. 14, which will allow him to attend Hoop Hogs practice(s) and the Football Hogs’ home game against Alabama-Birmingham. He also has fall visits slated to Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, and Duke. His sister, Maya Peat, played collegiate basketball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Multiple sources have indicated Arkansas is in Peat’s final two or three teams but that home-state Arizona remains the current leader for his services. Arkansas is among his announced top 9 schools, a list that includes North Carolina, Duke, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA, Texas, Baylor, and Houston. “I’ve definitely got to consider (Arkansas),” Peat told Hogville in late May. “Coach Cal has recruited me since my sophomore year. When he got the job, he called me like a week later and was telling me he wanted me to come there and play for him. He told me he wants me to come on a visit also … I’ll try to schedule a visit for the fall.” Peat (23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals for 17U Compton Magic during Adidas 3SSB summer championships) might carry his recruiting process through the spring before making a decision. Hogville’s current take on Koa Peat’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): Upgraded to HOT.

– Chris Cenac, Jr. (6-10 forward / center, Link Academy in Branson, Mo., ESPN national No. 6 / 5-star prospect) has set a weekend-of-Sept. 14 visit date to Arkansas (the same as 2025 5-star Koa Peat), according to a source, although Cenac recently told a national recruiting analyst that he had “not scheduled any visits.” Cenac is believed to be heavily favoring hometown LSU with Kentucky near the top of his wish list as well, but Calipari and Arkansas are clearly in the mix if indeed he keeps his visit date. Cenac’s Top 12 schools are Arkansas, LSU, Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Texas, UConn, Houston, Louisville, Baylor, and Michigan State. Calipari was courtside watching him play in July during Next Pro 16 / Puma events. A recruiting rankings chart-climber in the spring, Cenac was the MVP of the prestigious NBPA Top 100 Camp in June when Calipari and Razorbacks assistant coaches got to watch him compete. Hogville’s current take on Chris Cenac’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): Upgraded to WARM to HOT.

– Kingston Flemings (6-3 guard, San Antonio, TX, composite national No. 21 / 5-star prospect) has listed Arkansas among his Top 5 schools along with Gonzaga, Texas, Houston, and Texas Tech. He reportedly already has fall visit dates set to Gonzaga, Houston, and Texas Tech (he has previously taken an unofficial visit to Texas), and there is speculation Arkansas could be in line to receive his final official visit later in the fall. He picked up his Hog offer on Aug. 4, just days following the commitment from Acuff. Flemings averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals as a junior in high school, and during the spring and summer grassroots season he played on the up-and-coming Next Pro 16 / Puma circuit. Several analysts believe he is the most college-ready facilitator-first lead guard in high school. Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin in heavily involved here. Hogville’s current take on Kingston Flemings’ interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): WARM to HOT.

– Shon Abaev (6-7 combo guard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., composite national No. 34 / 4-star prospect) reportedly will get an on-site visit from Arkansas coaches next month once the NCAA’s “recruiting period” officially opens up on Sept. 4. He reportedly has a list of top schools that includes Syracuse, Auburn, Southern Cal, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Maryland — he has fall visit dates set with those six schools — with Arkansas, Duke, Illinois, and Florida State also in the mix. Abaev went off in the recent Under Armour Next Elite 24 all star game in Brooklyn, earning MVP honors after registering a double-double in a win: 22 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. He spent his spring and summer grassroots season competing on the Under Armor Association circuit. Like is the case with Flemings, Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin is heavily involved with Abaev’s recruitment. Hogville’s current take on Shon Abaev’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): COLD to WARM.

– Isaiah Sealy (6-7 wing, Springdale, ESPN national No. 54 / 4-star prospect) recently told Hogville he had been in contact with Hogs associate head coach Chin Coleman regarding taking a late August unofficial visit to Arkansas. He visited Ole Miss in early August, and has a visit set to St. Louis over the weekend of Sept. 14, although he told Hogville he might reschedule that. Sealy may not be among the 5-star prospects being pursued by Arkansas, but he did report an Arkansas offer after speaking with Calipari during the middle of Nike EYBL Peach Jam in July. “Coach Cal called me and offered me,” Sealy told Hogville on July 15. “I was happy, especially being a hometown kid. Having to work for it again (he was offered by the previous Hogs staff) and getting it back was good. Coach talked about me coming in for a visit soon.” Hogville’s current take on Isaiah Sealy’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): WARM to HOT.

- Cameron Boozer (6-9 forward, Columbus High School in Miami, composite national No. 2 / 5-star prospect) spoke to Hogville in late May about his Arkansas recruitment: “Coach Cal’s reached out a couple of times, so I have a good relationship with him.” Boozer also said his interest level in Arkansas compared to other schools recruiting him was “the same.” Boozer (20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 57.4% field goals while leading his 17U Nightrydas Elite squad to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship) has named Arkansas among the handful of colleges recruiting him the hardest. His father Carlos Boozer starred at Duke. Hogville’s current take on Cameron Boozer’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): COLD to WARM.

- Nate Ament (6-9 forward, Warrenton, Va., composite national No. 13 / 5-star prospect) was a versatile inside-out force for 17U Team Loaded VA during spring and summer Adidas 3SSB circuit events, and Calipari plus other Hog assistants were courtside for a number of his games spanning May to July. Ament recent named Arkansas among 10 schools he’s interested in, and he’s another prospect who seems to be in the early stages of sorting through the recruiting process. “I’m big into Arkansas for sure, big into Coach Cal,” Ament told Hogville in late May. “I love the way he runs his offense, defense, love the way he runs his program. He’s a great guy, he has a great staff there, so I’m big on Arkansas. I’ve continued talking to Coach Chin (Coleman, Hogs associate head coach) and a couple of their assistant coaches.” Hogville’s current take on Nate Ament’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): COLD to WARM.

- Cayden Boozer (6-4 guard, Columbus High School in Miami, composite national No. 19 / 5-star prospect) has named Arkansas among the handful of colleges recruiting him the hardest, a similar talking point to his twin brother Cameron Boozer. Cayden is arguably the best facilitating guard in the nation as he teamed up with his twin and Wilson in leading 17U Nightrydas Elite to the aforementioned Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship. Hogville’s current take on Cayden Boozer’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): COLD to WARM.

– AJ Dybantsa (6-9 combo forward, Utah Prep, composite national No. 1 / 5-star prospect) appears to be on a track to carry his recruitment through the spring of 2025, and Arkansas is among several schools Dybantsa has interested in visiting. “I spoke to him (Calipari) … obviously trying to set up a visit … I’m thinking about it … early in the fall if I can take it,” Dybantsa told Hogville in late May. Dybantsa (23.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals per game leading 17U Oakland Soldiers team to Nike EYBL Peach Jam title game) is reportedly focused on Arkansas, BYU, Auburn, USC, North Carolina, and Kentucky[/s]. Dybantsa recently released his Top 7 schools and announced fall visit dates for each, and Arkansas was not included. Hogville’s current take on AJ Dybantsa’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): Downgraded toCOLD.

– Jasper Johnson (6-4 guard, Overtime Elite, composite national No. 10 / 5-star prospect) included Arkansas in his final 5 schools: the Hogs, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, and Alabama. Johnson is a Kentucky native and has been recruited by Calipari for some time, and he’s openly discussed the possibility of visiting Arkansas prior to making a decision on where he’ll play collegiately. Johnson (20.0 points per game for 17U Team Thad during Nike Peach Jam) is reportedly no lock to play for one of his home-state schools and may even be leaning toward playing out of state. Recent reports have him set to announce a decision within the next week with home-state Kentucky believed to be the favorite to land his services and Alabama still a possibility. Hogville’s current take on Jasper Johnson’s interest level in Arkansas (on a scale of cold, warm, or hot): Downgraded to COLD.