Arkansas already has a team that’s projected to be highly rated, in conference and nationally, for next season, going into year two under John Calipari. The ‘Hogs, though, have added another name to the roster with the commitment of an overseas prospect.
Elmir Dzafic, an international addition as a native of Bosnia, has committed to the Razorbacks. That comes per his representation and was later shared by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Dzafic measures in right around 7-foot tall and 260 pounds. He has most recently competed for KK Bosna Sarajevo for the past two seasons in the second division of the Adriatic League. He, in 20 games played for the program, posted 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per game. He also represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2023 FIBA U18 Euro Championship in Division B, averaging a double-double of 13.1 points and 10 rebounds over eight games played in the event.
Dzafic is now the second international commitment, of seven players total incoming in Fayetteville. Karim Rtail, a native of Beirut, Lebanon, who most recently played in Lithuania, committed to the program back in mid-March. Dzafic and Rtail will come in alongside a trio of freshmen, with Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, and Isaiah Sealy being a Top 15 recruiting class, and a pair of transfers, with Malique Ewin (Florida State, South Plains CC, Ole Miss) and Nick Pringle (South Carolina, Alabama, Dodge City CC, Wofford) each being Top 150 additions from the portal.
That collection will then pair with the returners for Arkansas in DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, and Billy Richmond. They’re the quartet that is back following Calipari’s debut, where the Razorbacks went 22-14. Now, with these 11 players, the Razorbacks will be looking to compete for even more in 2025-26.
Insider projects Arkansas as second-best in the SEC
Arkansas completely changed its season with how it played from late in January on, going all the way to the Sweet 16 with a missed chance at the Elite Eight. Now, with how their offseason has gone in Fayetteville, Jon Rothstein thinks that will carry over to next season with the ‘Hogs being one of his best teams in the SEC.
Rothstein discussed the Razorbacks as one of his three big things during his stream on Monday. He noticed something with them that he values, which is roster retention, despite others focusing on recruiting from high school or the portal. That’s why he had them, besides the defending champs in Florida, right near the top of the Southeastern Conference.
“I’m looking at Arkansas now? I’m looking at a team that, again, had a lead comfortably over Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 before Texas Tech came back and went to the Elite Eight, in overtime in San Francisco. And I’m looking at Arkansas as being undervalued a bit in the SEC,” Rothstein said. “Look at what Arkansas returns – four players who had prominent roles on that run to the Sweet 16. DJ Wagner – four NCAA Tournament games, about 12 points and 3.5 assists. Billy Richmond – 16 and nine against St. John’s in the Round of 32. Karter Knox – in his last two NCAA Tournament games, Texas Tech and St. John’s, went for 35 and 12. And then Trevon Brazile was a steady presence up front.
“I think Arkansas, without question, should enter next season in the discussion of being the second-best team in the SEC behind Florida. You’re giving Florida the benefit of the doubt, as you should, because Florida is the defending national champions…I like Kentucky’s pieces. I also think Kentucky has a lot of question marks…But I think Arkansas’ returning personnel and the pieces that Arkansas is bringing in is being undervalued heading into next season. I think you could make a real case that Arkansas could be the second-best team in the SEC next year, entering the year behind Florida.”