Arkansas jumps back in on uncommitted Wooten

Wooten
Wooten

Arkansas could end up hitting the jackpot in Las Vegas.

The Razorbacks are back in contact with four-star Las Vegas Trinity International Christian Prep forward Kenny Wooten (6-foot-9, 205 pounds), who decommitted from Arizona State earlier this week.

Wooten, a California native who was a Nevada signee out of high school, was offered back in the fall by Arkansas and is considering the Razorbacks along with Oregon, St. John's and others.

"I've always been really interested in Arkansas for the simple fact of how hard the team plays," Wooten said Wednesday afternoon. "My interest in them is high."

The Razorbacks are set to host Farmington (Mich.) North Farmington four-star point guard Amauri Hardy (6-2, 190), a former Oklahoma State commit, for an official visit today through Saturday.

He picked Oklahoma State over Georgia, Georgia Tech and others, but decommitted from the Cowboys on March 30.

Hardy averaged 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists last season.

"His competitiveness and will to win really sets him apart," North Farmington head coach Todd Negoshian told the Detroit Free Press. "He's cut from an old-school mold. He hates to lose; it's a driving force in him. His potential in college is absolutely huge."

Arkansas is also known to be recruiting Ontario, Canada The Tech Academy guard Shakwon Barrett (6-3, 180), who is currently set to take an official visit to Fayetteville next Tuesday through Thursday.

CBSsports.com college basketball writer Gary Parrish has reported that the Razorbacks are also recruiting Memphis graduate transfer Markell Crawford (6-5, 208).

The Razorbacks have one scholarship available for the 2017 class, but are also awaiting word on whether junior guards Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford decide to test the waters of the NBA draft and/or turn professional.

"Recruiting is taking place right now, but I've just have got the feeling right now that guys will be on board," Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said after Monday's basketball banquet.

Wooten's lead recruiter is Razorback assistant coach Melvin Watkins, who was quick to get back in contact with Wooten when he decided to re-open his recruitment.

"I have a real good relationship with the coach," Wooten said. "He's real down to earth with a comic personality."

Wooten, who had offers from Arizona, Kansas and California before committing to Arizona State, would certainly be a different type of player than Arkansas has currently, a tall combo forward.

"I play the three, sometimes the four," Wooten said. "I'm 6-9 so I interchange. Mainly the 3, though."

Trinity International head coach Greg Lockridge is very high on Wooten, who missed his entire junior season and then led Manteca to the state title his senior season before reclassifying and moving on to prep school.

"He has professional explosion right now in high school," Lockridge said. "I think he can play 14, 15, 16 years in the league (NBA) with his body type."

Wooten has four official visits left that he can take and he plans to set them all up by Sunday with a few factors.

"Playing time, where I'll play and the team's playing style," Wooten said. "I like up tempo, high energy, strong defensively, great in transition and great passing guards."

Sports on 04/13/2017

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