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Ex-coveted recruit Jimmy Whitt's transfer is a blow to Arkansas
When Arkansas coach Mike Anderson addressed reporters in Fayetteville on Monday, he was adamant that he expects every Razorback with eligibility back next season.
Only two days later, it's clear that's not going to happen.
Arkansas announced Wednesday that guard Jimmy Whitt, a consensus top 75 prospect in the class of 2015, will transfer after the school year. Whitt played in all 32 games as a freshman and averaged 6.1 points in 17.8 minutes per game.
"After meeting with Jimmy, although I don’t agree with his decision, I respect it," Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said in a statement. "I had the privilege of watching Jimmy grow up over the years and it was a pleasure coaching him during his freshman season. We wish him and his family the best as he pursues another institution to continue his collegiate career."
The departure of Whitt makes Arkansas' 2015 recruiting class to be a near-lost cause. Whitt's lone season in Fayetteville wasn't memorable and fellow top 75 prospect Ted Kapita never even made it to campus, leaving only guard Lorenzo Jenkins, who logged seven minutes all season.
Squandered recruiting classes are not something Arkansas can afford as it tries to achieve the consistency that has been lacking during Anderson's five-year tenure. The Razorbacks reached the NIT in Anderson's third year and enjoyed a 27-win breakthrough in year four, but the program slipped to 16-16 overall and 9-9 in the SEC in year five.
The key to a bounce-back 2016-17 campaign will be bringing back center Moses Kingsley and sharpshooter Dusty Hannahs and finding other players to support those two pillars. Anton Beard has the potential to play a bigger role if he can improve his outside shot and become a more efficient scorer. Heralded junior college prospect Jaylen Barford also should make an immediate impact.
Whitt also had a chance to contribute more next season if he received more playing time and tapped into his potential more frequently.
Instead he's moving on, depleting Arkansas' depth next season and hurting its hopes for consistency and stability for years to come.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
