The Arkansas Razorbacks find themselves at the center of the action as the 2025 NBA Combine gets underway in Chicago this week.
Three of their own-Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, and Adou Thiero-have received coveted invitations, and their performances this week could shape not only their professional futures but also the trajectory of John Calipari’s first roster in Fayetteville.
The combine, held at Wintrust Arena, is a crucible for draft hopefuls.
For Thiero, Fland, and Knox, it’s an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NBA scouts, executives, and coaches. But the stakes are uniquely high for each.
While all three have declared for the NBA Draft, only Knox has explicitly retained his college eligibility, leaving the door open for a return to Arkansas.
Fland, meanwhile, entered the transfer portal, signaling a likely departure from the Razorbacks, especially with the backcourt crowded by incoming five-star freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, plus veteran DJ Wagner.
The next seven days are crucial.
The NCAA’s withdrawal deadline is May 28, giving these players a short window to impress scouts and make life-altering decisions.
For Knox, the combine could be a turning point. His draft projections have fluctuated wildly.
‘No Ceilings NBA’ once slotted him as an early second-round pick, but other mock drafts have left him undrafted.
“An extremely impressive performance at the combine this week could change everything for Knox,” the sentiment echoed by many in the Arkansas community.
His late-season surge-averaging 8.3 points on 46.2% shooting, 35% from beyond the arc, and contributing 3.3 rebounds per game-has fans and coaches eager to see what another year could bring.
Boogie Fland and Adou Thiero, both early April draft entrants, have not publicly discussed retaining college eligibility.
Their combine performances will likely determine whether they leap into the professional ranks or consider other collegiate options.
Fland’s decision to enter the transfer portal gives him flexibility, but with Arkansas’s guard rotation already brimming, his return seems unlikely.
For John Calipari, the combine’s outcome will have immediate roster implications.
Should Knox return, he would be a cornerstone for a team looking to build on last season’s momentum. If he stays in the draft, Calipari may need to recalibrate his plans.
“There’s no question the trajectory of how he finished last season had fans, as well as the coaching staff, excited to see what he could do as a sophomore,” a sentiment that underscores the anticipation surrounding Knox’s decision.
As the combine unfolds — televised on ESPN2 and ESPN+ — Razorback fans will be watching closely.
The performances of Knox, Fland, and Thiero will not only influence their own futures but could reshape the hopes and expectations for Arkansas basketball in the coming season.
