Arkansas men’s capsules

By Bob Holt

LITTLE ROCK — MICHAEL WASHINGTON

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-9 WEIGHT 240 POSITION Forward HIGH SCHOOL McGehee LAST SEASON 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds THE SKINNY Tested the waters by declaring for the NBA Draft, but withdrew his name and is back for what should be a big senior season. Led the SEC in rebounding last season, is a good insider scorer and can step outside and knock down some jumpers or drive to the basket. Also led the team with 39 blocked shots.

COURTNEY FORTSON

CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 180 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOLS Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis and The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C.

LAST SEASON 14.8 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds THE SKINNY True point guard who drives hard to the basket to draw the defense and fouls. Can be spectacular setting up teammates for dunks and open shots, but needs to play more under control after having 128 turnovers last season.

ROTNEI CLARKE

CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 184 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOL Claremore (Okla.) Verdigris LAST SEASON 12.2 points, 1.9 rebounds THE SKINNY Shot 39.3 percent from threepoint range (83-211) and got better physically in the off-season to enable him to do more off the dribble and driving to the basket. Hit 43 of 46 free throws last season and needs to draw more fouls to get to the line.

STEFAN WELSH

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-3 WEIGHT 185 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOLS Newport News (Va.) Woodside, Hargrave (Va.) Academy LAST SEASON 11.5 points, 2.9 rebounds THE SKINNY The Razorbacks’ most experienced guard with 45 starts the past two seasons. He has offensive skills, but it’s imperative that he improves on his 36.1 percent field-goal shooting by taking better shots. Can play point guard and shooting guard.

MICHAEL SANCHEZ

CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 6-8 WEIGHT 236 POSITION Forward HIGH SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber LAST SEASON 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds THE SKINNY Hasn’t been able to practice this season because of injuries to both feet. He started 28 games last season and will lend depth to the front court if he can get back on the court.

MARCUS BRITT

CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-3WEIGHT 198 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOL Forrest City ARKANSAS STATS 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds THE SKINNY Good defender who should help off the bench. Needs to be more aggressive with his shot considering he hit 15 of 30 three-point attempts last season.

MARSHAWN POWELL

CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 6-7 WEIGHT 220 POSITION Forward HIGH SCHOOL The Miller School (Va.) LAST SEASON 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocked shots THE SKINNY Should be a sudden impact player and may start at power forward.

Big body to bang inside, but also has a nice shooting touch. Will give the team a formidable 1-2 inside punch with Michael Washington.

GLENN BRYANT

CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 6-7 WEIGHT 190 POSITION Forward HIGH SCHOOL Oak Hill (Va.) Academy LAST SEASON 11.3 points, 200 blocked shots THE SKINNY Will provide depth on the front line, playing power forward or small forward. Big-time shot blocker who should help shore up leaky defense.

DELVON JOHNSON

CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-9WEIGHT 220 POSITION Forward JUNIOR COLLEGE Indian Hills (Iowa) LAST SEASON 6.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots THE SKINNY Has a defensive mentality and 7-3 wingspan that should help interior defense and erase some mistakes on the perimeter. Good rebounder who can score around the basket.

JEMAL FARMER

CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-5 WEIGHT 213 POSITION Guard/forward JUNIOR COLLEGE Cloud County (Kan.) LAST SEASON 17.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists THE SKINNY Should help last season’s woeful perimeter defense by providing some length to contest three-pointers. Also a decent shooter. Could challenge for a starting job.

JULYSSES NOBLES

CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 170 CLASS Freshman POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOL Jackson (Miss.) Callaway LAST SEASON 20.9 points, 6.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds THE SKINNY Should help off the bench and give Courtney Fortson a breather at point guard by being able to eat up some minutes.

JEFF PETERSON

CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 192 POSITION Guard COLLEGE Iowa LAST SEASON 10.6 points, 4.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds THE SKINNY Must redshirt this season after transferring from Iowa. Played well for the Hawkeyes and should be a good player next season. For now he’ll help raise the level of practice while learning Arkansas’ system and getting used to his new teammates.

STEPHAN COX

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-3 WEIGHT 200 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro LAST SEASON 0.1 points, 0.4 rebounds THE SKINNY Decided to return to the basketball team after playing golf this fall.

Is a great guy to have on the team with his attitude and hustle. Won’t hurt the team if he needs to replace someone in foul trouble.

Played off the bench in 18 games last season.

NICK MASON

CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 5-10 WEIGHT 160 POSITION Guard HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro LAST SEASON Played 3 minutes in one game off the bench against Northwestern (La.) State.

THE SKINNY Walk-on who gives the Razorbacks another body for practice.

Special, Pages 124 on 11/08/2009

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