Jessica Jackson
POSITION Forward
HEIGHT 6-3
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Jacksonville
LAST SEASON Jackson led the team in scoring (14.9) and was selected to the All-SEC second team by coaches and The Associated Press.
THE SKINNY Jackson is one of three returning starters and will provide scoring inside and outside. She is a strong three-point shooter, but at 6-3 also can provide the Razorbacks with inside scoring and rebounding.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "Her biggest improvement to me is her willingness to be coached, to be pushed. She's really pushed herself hard. She's really determined to take the next step in her game."
Malica Monk
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 5-5
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN North Little Rock
LAST SEASON Monk earned all-state honors at North Little Rock and was ranked the No. 64 overall recruit in the 2015 class by ESPN. She averaged 14.6 points, 3.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds during her high school career.
THE SKINNY Monk is expected to make an impact at point guard with the graduation of Calli Berna. Her quickness and ball-handling skills will be huge assets.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES " I'm not sure there is a faster guard in the 2015 high school class, baseline to baseline with a basketball, than Malica Monk."
Keiryn Swenson
POSITION Guard/Forward
HEIGHT 6-1
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Wichita, Kan.
LAST SEASON Swenson was a four-time Class 6A all-state selection and the 2015 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. She also was one of the top high school javelin throwers in the country.
THE SKINNY Swenson is a versatile swing player who can shoot the ball from the perimeter.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "Keiryn Swenson had Division I offers in volleyball, basketball and track. I'm going to allow her to throw the javelin for Lance Harter in the spring. She's one of the top 10 in the nation I believe in high school javelin. She's that much of an athlete."
Briunna Freeman
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 5-9
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Pelham, Ga.
LAST SEASON Was ranked as the No. 22 guard in 2015 and was a two-time all-state player who averaged 18 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.
THE SKINNY Freeman's athleticism could give her a chance to contribute quickly.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "Briunna Freeman is a two-time 2A all-state player. A phenomenal athlete, 5-8 1/2, can dunk a tennis ball. She can really do some things athletically that we don't have right now. She's not a finished product by any stretch in terms of a basketball player, but in terms of an athlete, I'll put her out there against anybody."'
Kelsey Brooks
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 5-9
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Lenexa, Kan.
LAST SEASON Brooks started every game and averaged 13.8 points per game, second on the team. She also averaged 4.8 rebounds per game and 34.5 minutes per game. She was chosen twice as the SEC player of the week and scored at least 20 points in six games.
THE SKINNY Brooks doubled her scoring average from her freshman year (13.8 from 6.4) and will be counted on as a primary scorer. The junior will be asked to take on more of a leadership role.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "We needed Kelsey to step up as a scorer last year and she did. I think she is a stronger, tougher kid this year. She can be a phenomenal defender. She has all the attributes as far as toughness, quickness and speed."
Devin Cosper
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 5-10
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Lenexa, Kan.
LAST SEASON Cosper was the lone freshman selected as a first-team junior-college All-American at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. She averaged 20 points per game and shot 52.4 percent from the floor.
THE SKINNY Cosper will contribute in the backcourt quickly thanks to her scoring and athleticism.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "She is a tremendous athlete and was the state champion in the 100 meters in high school. We are thrilled that she has decided to join our program."
Bailey Zimmerman
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 6-0
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN St. Vincent
LAST SEASON Zimmerman was a three-star recruit, according to ESPN. She earned all-state honors and was a three-time all-state tournament team selection.
THE SKINNY Zimmerman's length and shooting ability could give the 6-0 swing player a chance to contribute quickly.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES " I like her length, I like her ability to shoot the basketball."
Tatiyana Smith
POSITION Center
HEIGHT 6-3
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Plano, Texas
LAST SEASON Smith average 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.
THE SKINNY Smith will give the Razorbacks more size in the post, something the Razorbacks missed a year ago.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES " She is a really long athlete that will give us the size we need in the SEC. She has a lot of upside and will continue to get better."
Khadijah West
POSITION Forward
HEIGHT 6-2
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Shreveport
LAST SEASON West averaged 1.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season. She earned her first career start against nationally ranked Tennessee but played in only six of the last 16 games because of a hand injury.
THE SKINNY West has shown development in the off season and should provide depth off the bench.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES " DeeDee continues to get better at leadership, body language and taking hard coaching. She is so much farther along this year than she was to start last season. That is a credit to her and her maturity."
Jordan Danberry
POSITION Guard
HEIGHT 5-8
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Conway
LAST SEASON Danberry was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and as the No. 47 prospect in the 2015 class. She was the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 15.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
THE SKINNY Danberry will likely see significant playing time at point guard.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "She has some things about her game that you just can't teach. She plays the game fast. She plays the game with a little bit of flair. She's a handful."
Melissa Wolff
POSITION Forward
HEIGHT 6-0
CLASS Senior
HOMETOWN Cabot
LAST SEASON Wolff earned a starting role and had six games with at 10 points and 10 rebounds, averaging 8.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for the season.
THE SKINNY Wolff will again anchor the Razorbacks on the inside with her ability to score and rebound. She is a key interior defender.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "Melissa Wolff continues to be the heartbeat and the pulse of our basketball team. There isn't a tougher player on our team. She leads by example not only on the court, but in the classroom and in her community service efforts."
Alecia Cooley
POSITION Center
HEIGHT 6-3
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Evanston, Ill.
LAST SEASON Cooley earned junior college All-America honors at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., where she averaged 17.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
THE SKINNY Cooley will give the Razorbacks much needed size in the post and can be a presence inside on both ends of the court.
QUOTING COACH JIMMY DYKES "Alecia is a legit SEC post player and gives us size on the inside. She is a great person, great teammate and has a great desire to work and get better."
Sports on 11/08/2015