Calipari: Pringle better than he expected early in preseason workouts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach John Calipari said forward Nick Pringle has shown more in early preseason workouts than he anticipated when the transfer arrived from South Carolina.

“Wow,” Calipari said this week. “Nick Pringle, first of all, he’s better than I thought. I hadn’t seen him do some of the stuff he was doing. We can play through him. I’m making him shoot balls, which makes him get in the gym and shoot more.”

Pringle, a 6-foot-10 forward from Seabrook, South Carolina, joined the Razorbacks in April after one season at South Carolina. He averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Gamecocks last season while shooting 57% from the field.

Calipari said Pringle’s performance in early team sessions has changed how the staff views his role heading into the season.

Veteran transfer brings SEC experience

Pringle’s college career has taken him through several programs. He began at Wofford in 2020-21, spent a year at Dodge City Community College, then transferred to Alabama, where he played two seasons before joining South Carolina last year.

He started all 32 games for the Gamecocks and posted four double-doubles. One of his best outings came against Arkansas when he scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 72-53 win in Columbia on March 1.

Arkansas announced his signing on April 17 as part of Calipari’s first roster overhaul in Fayetteville.

“Nick gives us a proven frontcourt presence,” Calipari said at the time. “He’s physical, he runs, and he rebounds. He’s been through the league and understands how hard it is.”

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Nick Pringle at Bud Walton Arena for the Primetime at the Palace event at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. | Munir El Khatib

Calipari notes growth in workouts

Calipari said Pringle’s improvement has been noticeable in both energy and skill.

“He’s better than I thought,” Calipari said again. “You throw the ball above the square, and he’ll go get it. He moves well. He’s communicating. He wants to be coached.”

The Razorbacks are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in Calipari’s first season.

With several roster changes and a strong transfer class that includes forwards Malique Ewin and Karim Rtail, Calipari said he is looking for reliable production inside to complement a backcourt built on speed and shooting.

“Nick gives us someone who can defend the rim and run the floor,” Calipari said. “Now he’s starting to make shots and do some things that make you think, okay, we can use him in more ways than we thought.”

Fitting into a deep rotation

Pringle’s ability to adapt to Arkansas’ system could determine how large his role becomes. Calipari’s teams traditionally rely on spacing and movement in a dribble-drive offense, asking big men to handle the ball and pass out of the post.

“He’s getting used to how we play,” Calipari said. “We want our bigs to shoot, to handle the ball, to make plays. He’s embracing that.”

Analysts expect Pringle to compete for starting minutes at power forward or center. His experience in the Southeastern Conference gives Arkansas an advantage against veteran frontcourts in league play.

At South Carolina, Pringle finished third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. He shot 72% from the free-throw line and ranked among the SEC’s top 15 rebounders.

Early praise but work ahead

Calipari’s comments mark a shift from the cautious tone he used when Pringle transferred. The veteran coach said the forward’s athleticism was clear on film, but his offensive range has been a pleasant surprise.

“I didn’t know he could do all this,” Calipari said. “He’s getting more comfortable, and that’s what preseason is about. We’ll see how it carries over when the lights come on.”

Arkansas opens its season Nov. 4 with an exhibition against Southern Illinois before hosting Murray State in the regular-season opener Nov. 11.

Three key takeaways

• Improving quickly: John Calipari says Nick Pringle has shown more skill than expected early in preseason workouts.

• Proven veteran: Pringle started every game for South Carolina last season and brings SEC experience to Arkansas’ frontcourt.

• Versatile fit: Calipari plans to expand Pringle’s role beyond defense and rebounding as he adjusts to the Razorbacks’ system.