John Calipari’s Excitement Is Easy to Understand After Arkansas’ Big Week

The events of this past week have certainly put Arkansas coach John Calipari in a good mood.

All-SEC defensive stalwart Billy Richmond decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Fayetteville for another year. He also saw two other Razorbacks solidify their status as first round draft picks in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.

With the deadline approaching, Richmond looked like he was staying in the draft process, but he changed course and will be back in Fayetteville for his junior season.

UPDATE: Billy Richmond has just switched course and will return to Arkansas next season, per his agent Bill Duffy of WME. https://t.co/nLhxOxGIuv

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 27, 2026

Richmond had built some momentum as an early second-round projection. Coming back gives him a chance to push that stock higher, and it gives Arkansas its best defender and one of its most reliable wings for another year.

Calipari called it “something special” on the site formerly known as Twitter and made it clear he thinks Richmond’s return sets the Razorbacks up for a big run.

He also used the moment to hype up his former players still in the draft. Darius Acuff is projected in the latest ESPN mock draft to go No. 6 to the Brooklyn Nets, Meleek Thomas is slotted at No. 28 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Trevon Brazile at No. 45 to the Sacramento Kings. Calipari said he expects all three of his draft-eligible players to land in better spots than the projections show.

“I am really excited about Billy coming back and his mentality of let’s do something special which is what he talked to me about,” Calipari wrote in a social media post. “I am also excited for Meleek who has had great workouts and great interviews. But so has Trevon and Darius. I think all three will be drafted in a better slot than people are projecting today! You know I will be on the phone working for all of them and I cannot wait to watch their paths!”

I am really excited about Billy coming back and his mentality of let’s do something special. Which is what he talked to me about. I am also excited for Meleek who has had great workouts and great interviews. But so has Trevon and Darius. I think all three will be drafted in a…

— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) May 30, 2026

Richmond’s return is the headline, though. He played in all 37 games last season and averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2 assists while taking on the toughest defensive assignments most nights. His jump from freshman to sophomore year was obvious, and his 25-point performance against Auburn in February was one of the best individual outings Arkansas had all season.

With Richmond helping anchor the rotation, Arkansas won the SEC Tournament and finished 28-9 before falling to Arizona in the Sweet 16. Bringing him back gives the Razorbacks a proven piece as they try to take another step.

If Richmond came back because he didn’t love his draft range, that’s fine. He now has a full season to play himself into the first round. And Arkansas gets its stopper back for another run.