FAYETTEVILLE — John Pelphrey enjoyed his best moment as Arkansas’ basketball coach in a long time on Wednesday.
After enduring back-to-back losing seasons, Pelphrey announced a recruiting class that ESPN ranks third nationally behind Kentucky and Duke.
“It’s been a lot of hard work put into it over the last three years,” Pelphrey said. “Sometimes in recruiting you don’t get to reap the rewards of your labor, but today we do.”
Arkansas announced four signees: 6-8 forward Aaron Ross from Little Rock Parkview; 6-10 forward Hunter Mickelson from Jonesboro Westside; 6-4 guard B.J. Young from Florissant (Mo.) McCluer North; and 6-8 forward Devonta Abron form Dallas Seagoville.
Rashad “Ky” Madden, a 6-5 guard from East Poinsett County, is expected to sign with Arkansas on Friday to complete the Razorbacks’ early period recruiting haul.
Coaches aren’t allowed to comment on players until they sign, but Pelphrey smiled when asked about adding to the class later this week.
“I think it’s safe to say we’re always looking forward to making our team better,” he said. “Whatever opportunities those are.”
Pelphrey praised his assistant coaches and players for their help in the recruiting process and said the Razorbacks established good relationships with this year’s signees prior to going 14-16 and 14-18 the previous two seasons.
“I think as a coaching staff we’ve got a plan in place and we’re sticking to it,” Pelphrey said. “It’s been hard work, and these young men have been a part of that the whole way through.
“They believe in what’s going on here with this coaching staff, with this school. They believe that they have an opportunity to be a part of something special with the guys that are already in the program.”
Pelphrey said Ross has “a special place in my heart” because he was the first player in this year’s class to commit to the Razorbacks two years ago and helped to convince others to follow his lead. Ross, rated the No. 98 player by ESPN, drew praise from Pelphrey for his scoring ability and ballhandling.
“I really have a respect for how he plays, meaning thatwhen he gets double-teamed, he’s a good passer,” Pelphrey said. “He finds the open guy. I just think he’s got a very good feel and understanding [of how to play] ... He’s going to continue to develop and get even better.”
Mickelson is the No. 48-rated player by ESPN and has “just a world of potential” according to Pelphrey.
”His speed and quickness for what we want to do is perfect,” Pelphrey said. “Hunter is also blessed with the ability to step away from the basket and make perimeter shots.
“He’s already a game-changing shot blocker. Even though he’s somewhere around the 200-pound mark, he is a physical basketball player. He’s not getting pushed around. If you push him, you’re going to get hit back.”
Young is rated as a five star recruit by most recruiting services and among the top 20 players nationally,
“I think B.J. is one of the best scorers in the country,” Pelphrey said. “Lightning fast. Tremendous energy.
“A lot of times guys who are big scorers have to shoot a lot of balls to get their numbers. I was very impressed by B.J. in terms of how efficient he was, to be able to score a large number of points on very few shots.
“I think his work ethic is infectious.”
Abron is the No. 27 power forward nationally according to ESPN’s rankings.
“I’m not even sure where he’s going to end up position-wise when this thing is all said and done,” Pelphrey said. “Right now he’s proven to be a tough, physical, rough, rugged guy around the basketwho can score, rebound and finish plays.”
Pelphrey said he’s excited the signees come from winning programs at the high school and AAU levels.
“These guys have experienced winning and they’re humble about it,” he said. “They understand they can’t do it by themselves. I think there’s tremendous respect and camaraderie among the group already.”
Pelphrey said the signees “are uniquely different” and talented enough to contribute next season.
“They’re all more than capable of coming in here and having an impact,” he said. “I can tell all of you in the state of Arkansas, you’re going to have a wonderful relationship with these guys as well. These are tremendous young men ....They share of lot of things in common. They love basketball, they’re serious about being student-athletes, and they have a passion for the Razorbacks.”
Pelphrey said it’s a positive Arkansas’ recruiting class is highly rated, but that he doesn’t like to get caught up in predictions.
“I don’t know if anybody gives us an award for being the No. 2 or 3 recruiting class in the country,” he said. “I haven’t seen that yet.”
Pelphrey said it is exciting for fans and helps give the signees a sense of being part of something.
“It’s somebody’s opinion. There are several different ones out there,” Pelphrey said. “The true measure of a recruiting class is where it ends up in two or three years.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 11/11/2010