We continue our recruit and return series with the Arkansas Razorbacks, whose season ended Friday at the hands of Butler. A look at what the 2018-19 season could hold:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
G: Darious Hall
G: Jalen Harris
G: C.J. Jones
F: Adrio Bailey
Who is lost: At least three starters are gone: senior guards Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon and Anton Beard. Reserve forwards Arlando Cook and Trey Thompson are departing seniors, too. The key question is centered on star freshman forward Daniel Gafford. With his stock moving up (he's currently ranked 15th in ESPN's top 100 draft rankings), it's a possibility he makes the jump to the NBA after just a year.
Who is added: With a large senior class outgoing, coach Mike Anderson has a large recruiting class incoming. His six-man signing class is headlined by ESPN 100 power forward Ethan Henderson, the top-ranked player in the state of Arkansas. The 6-foot-8 Henderson is athletic, mobile and can finish well around the rim. Findlay Prep power forward Reggie Chaney, a four-star prospect who's originally from Texas, is a strong 6-foot-8, 230 pounds and should be a good inside presence, particularly on the boards. Four-star point guard Isaiah Joe and three-star shooting guard Desi Sills are also Natural State products; Joe boasts great shooting range and Sills can defend. Four-star guard Keyshawn Embery from IMG Academy is a scorer, and three-star guard Jordan Phillips from Cedar Hill (Texas) is a versatile defender. The Razorbacks also welcome transfer guard Jalen Harris, who joined the program before the 2017-18 season but had to sit out due to transfer rules. Harris played at New Mexico before heading to Arkansas.
What it means for next season: This is going to be a young squad that's lean on experience. If Gafford returns, then that changes the outlook of things, because his presence alone could lift the Razorbacks. If he leaves, then this team is basically starting from scratch with almost an entirely new lineup. Adrio Bailey has the most starting experience of the remaining players (he started 13 games in the regular season), and none of the returnees will have averaged more than 15 minutes a game this season.
Trending: Down. If Gafford goes, it's going to be a rebuilding year on the Hill. If he returns, then the Razorbacks become a factor.