LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey and his staff took advantage of the Razorbacks' football game against Georgia on Saturday to bring in several recruits.
Weekend visitors included Texas combination guard Rickey Scott, who orally committed to the Hogs while on his official visit. Three of the nation's top junior prospects also visited: guard Ky Madden, 6-4, 170 pounds, of East Poinsett County, forward Aaron Ross, 6-7, 215, of Little Rock Parkview and small forward Adonis Thomas, 6-6, 211, of Memphis Melrose.
Ross committed to the Hogs as a ninth-grader. Madden has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Memphis, Kentucky, Florida and others.
Thomas, who describes himself as a forward/guard, has offers from Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Indiana.
"I like to attack bigger players and like to post up smaller guards," said Thomas, who has visited Memphis and Florida. "I'm a big guard that can handle the ball and start the break. I can hit the outside shot but I'm still working on it."
"They probably would put me on the wing," said Thomas of Arkansas. "I think they have a couple of guards that are already committed."
The Razorbacks have a commitment from guard Mardracus Wade of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, as well as Scott.
Thomas, who has attended Arkansas' Elite camp in the past, was able to interact with array of people while on his visit.
"It's great school, great atmosphere and a great group of guys," Thomas said. "I had the chance to hang around with them and they're all real cool. I get along with all of the coaches. I got a chance to speak with the strength and conditioning coach, athletic director and academic advisor."
National recruiting analyst Van Coleman of hoopmasters.com rates Thomas as the No. 14 prospect nationally for the 2011 class. He praised Thomas' athleticism and ability to penetrate the lane.
"He really finishes well at the hoop," Coleman said. "He has a nice midrange game. He really shoots the ball well on the 15-to 17-foot pull-up. Because he does have that pull up game I think it gives him another dimensional that a lot of people don't have.He scores in a lot of different ways from parts of the floor."
One of the highlights of the trip, Thomas said, was the opportunity to speak with Frank Broyles, the former Arkansas football coach and athletic director who has been associated with the UA for more than 50 years.
"He was telling me about the tradition of the school, what it means to be a Razorback," said Thomas, who averaged about 15 points and 11 rebounds last season, and also posted a 4.3 grade-point average. "He said Arkansas usually is one of the top programs and they went to the Final Four on different occasions. He talked about Arkansas being a second home to a lot of Memphis guys. That was good for me to hear."
Later that night, Thomas attended Arkansas' football game.
"It was crazy," Thomas said. "I had a chance to get on the field and watch the players come out. I was able to see some of the football team after the game. The fans love their school. It was good for me to go to the game. I enjoyed it."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansason line.com
Sports, Pages 28 on 09/25/2009