LITTLE ROCK — It looks like the first day of the spring signing period will be relatively quiet at Arkansas.
Arkansas Razorbacks Coach John Pelphrey and his staff don’t anticipate signing any basketball prospects today, the first day of the spring signing period that runs until May 19.
The Razorbacks were hoping to sign Central Florida Community College power forward Ricardo Ratliffe, one of the top junior college players in the nation, but he orally committed to Missouri after taking an official visit over the weekend and is expected to sign with the Tigers.
With the departure of seniors Michael Washington, Stefan Welsh and Stephen Cox, Arkansas has 10 players who could return for the 2010-2011 season.
The Razorbacks signed Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College forward Marvell Waithe, 6-9, 200 pounds; guard Mardracus Wade, 6-3, 170, of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, and guard Rickey Scott, 6-3, 195, of Irving (Texas) MacArthur during the early signing period in November.
The signees give Arkansas the NCAA-allotted 13 athletes on scholarship. Pelphrey has stated his desire to sign a big man or the best available player, but it’s uncertain how many recruits the Razorbacks might add.
In order for the Hogs to sign any prospects, one or more of the current Razorbacks would have to leave to make room for the additional signee or signees.
Arkansas isn’t expected to host any recruits on official visits this weekend, but forward Kadeem Jack, 6-8, 200, of Rice High School in New York reportedly plans to make an official visit to Arkansas in the near future. Jack has visited Arizona and Miami.
The UALR men’s team expects to sign two players during the spring period.
The Trojans are expected to sign 6-0 point guard D’Andre Williams of Mount San Jacinto (Calif.) College and 6-6 forward Eric Kibi of Jacksonville (Texas) College.
Williams averaged 9.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals a game this past season, and Kibi averaged 17 points a game.
Sports, Pages 21 on 04/14/2010