The Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team surpassed expectations in their first season under head coach John Calipari, making a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Now, Calipari and his staff are turning their attention to the transfer portal to bolster the roster even further.
With key players like Boogie Fland, Johnell Davis, and Jonas Aidoo expected to depart this offseason, the Razorbacks will have some major holes to fill. Although a talented recruiting class—headlined by five-star guards Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff—is on the way, there’s still a pressing need to strengthen the frontcourt.
Thanks to one of the most robust NIL budgets in college basketball, the Arkansas Razorbacks are strong contenders to land Florida State power forward Malique Ewin. In his latest transfer portal predictions, Pete Nakos of On3.com projects Ewin will end up in Fayetteville.
“Since entering the portal, Florida State’s Malique Ewin has quickly become a top priority for Arkansas,” Nakos noted. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound forward put up impressive numbers this season—averaging 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting nearly 60% from the floor. With anticipated roster changes under John Calipari, securing Ewin has become a key focus for the Razorbacks, and momentum seems to be building in their favor.
Nakos listed his prediction with a ‘medium’ confidence level, but Arkansas remains in a strong position. The transfer portal is packed with impactful talent, and with the frontcourt being a clear priority for Calipari’s staff, Ewin stands out as a top target. Ranked No. 24 overall in the On3 portal rankings and ninth among power forwards, Ewin also carries a $1.5 million NIL valuation—well within the Razorbacks’ budget for the 2025-26 season.
