FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas head basketball coach Mike Anderson discussed the program's latest transfers, the return of its freshman standout and a notable senior class Monday during the team's annual awards banquet at Bud Walton Arena.
It was Anderson's first media availability since the Razorbacks 'season ended on March 16 with a first-round loss to Butler in the NCAA Tournament in Detroit. The university released a short statement from Anderson a week ago when freshman Darious Hall and sophomore C.J. Jones announced their intentions to transfer.
Hall, a graduate of Little Rock Mills, played in every game and improved throughout the season. He averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while Jones 6.3 points and shot 37.1 percent on 3-pointers.
"I was surprised, but nothing surprises me now," Anderson said. "Everybody's not going to be happy. But at the same time, I want guys that are committed to being Razorbacks.
"So, that being said, we've got a tremendous recruiting class coming in to go along with the pieces that we have here. It's like a fresh beginning. I'm all about guys that want to be here."
Hall and Jones' departure dampened the news of freshman Daniel Gafford, of El Dorado, announced 10 days after the season ended he would return for his sophomore season.
"I couldn't give it up," Gafford said. "It was a fun year and I wanted to have one more year here before I left, so I decided to come back and decided to try to have another great year.
"At one point in time, I was 100 percent ready to go to the draft, but then I wanted to come back because that was my game plan all along, to get at least two years at this school. We're like one big happy family, so I didn't want to take one part out of the family yet."
Gafford became the first Razorback freshman to surpass 400 points, 200 rebounds and 70 blocked shots. He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team.
"Obviously, he's a first-round draft choice, we know that," Anderson said, noting the decision by former Razorback to return for his sophomore season. "He wants to be a great player.
"I think it was the same thing with Bobby. That's a testament to the kid and his family. He wants to get better and he understands he's got to improve. He came to that realization, and I'm happy he did. Now, he can build on that and, obviously, be a cornerstone for our basketball team. We have some tremendous young talent coming in here and he'll be the focal point of what we're doing."
Portis, also out of Little Rock Hall, was the SEC Player of the Year in his sophomore season. He was drafted that year by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Graduating senior guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon, who both scored 1,000 points in only two seasons at Arkansas as junior college transfers, said Gafford "made a great decision." Barford and Macon both pondered with whether or not to turn pro at the same time last year.
"He enjoys being in college and he'll have a great season next year," Barford said. "It will be a plus for him."
Gafford said he dreamed of playing in the NBA, but dreamt first of being a Razorback. He said he knows he must strive to be even better for himself and for the team.
"I have to work on a lot of stuff," Gafford said. "I have to work on getting bigger. I have to work on my base in the low post. I have to work on my outside game more. I'm working on my 3-point shot too. I want to be one of those bigs that can expand their range."
Anderson said he is excited for the team's graduates to further their careers. He said he is enthused Barford and Macon are among invitees to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia in front of a number of NBA scouts.
"They've got their names out there," Anderson said. "Now, this gives them an opportunity to go out and solidify their names even more when you bring in 64 of the top seniors. They'll play in front of NBA scouts and executives, foreign scouts. So it's an opportunity for them to go out and showcase the players they've become."
"A lot of big-name players are there," Barford said. "I think there will be great competition."
Macon called it a "great opportunity to showcase our talents and get our names out there one last time. We're just chasing a dream and we work hard and I think everything is going to fall into place."
At the banquet, Anderson and his staff announced team awards, including the Academic Award to freshman forward Gabe Osabuohien; the Razorback Performance Award in the weight room jointly to sophomore forward Adrio Bailey and walk-on guard Jonathan Holmes; the Razorback Service Award for community service to Forrest City alum Trey Thompson, who has already graduated; the Free Throw Award to Macon, who made 36 of 37 free throws in overtimes; the Iron Man Award for taking charges to Osabuohien; the Hog Award for intangibles to graduating senior guard and North Little Rock alum Anton Beard; the Razorback Leadership Award jointly to four-year lettermen Beard and Thompson; Assists Award to Macon; Defensive Player of the Year and Chairman of the Boards awards to Gafford; the Offensive Player of the Year jointly to All-SEC guards Barford and Macon; and the ignominious Apple Turnover Award to Barford for committing the most turnovers.
Sports on 04/11/2018