Five-Star, Top-Ranked Player in the United States Commits to Razorback Men’s Basketball, Choosing Them Over Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia Bulldogs…….more details 

Five-Star, Top-Ranked Player in the United States Commits to Razorback Men’s Basketball, Choosing Them Over Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia Bulldogs…….more details 

In a significant development for the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball program, five-star recruit Meleek Thomas has committed to play for Coach John Calipari. The 6-foot-4 guard from Pittsburgh chose Arkansas over several prominent programs, including Tennessee, LSU, Georgia Bulldogs, UConn, and his hometown school, Pittsburgh. citeturn0search3

Thomas is widely regarded as one of the top players in the 2025 recruiting class. He is currently playing for Overtime Elite, an eight-team league based in Atlanta, where he has been averaging 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. His shooting efficiency is notable, with a field goal percentage of 40.6%, including 47.1% from three-point range, and an 88.9% mark from the free-throw line. citeturn0search8

Throughout his high school career, Thomas has demonstrated exceptional scoring ability. He led Lincoln Park Performing Arts High School in Pittsburgh to back-to-back 4A PIAA championships in 2023 and 2024, averaging a double-double as a junior with 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, along with 5.8 assists and 3.3 steals. citeturn0search0 His performance on the Nike EYBL circuit further solidified his status as a top prospect, ranking ninth in scoring with an average of 20.3 points per game, complemented by 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi praised Thomas’s versatility, stating, “He’s natural at scoring but his facilitating skills have gotten much better over the last year. He’s got the nice length and he doesn’t get sped up. He plays under control even though he’s always in attack mode.” citeturn0search0

Thomas’s decision to join the Razorbacks is influenced by his strong relationship with Coach Calipari and the program’s reputation for developing NBA talent. He expressed appreciation for Calipari’s positive impact on players’ careers, noting, “He has touched so many lives with his guys becoming NBA players and so many others. He and the staff stayed in contact with both me and my family the whole time.” citeturn0search3

His commitment, along with that of fellow five-star recruit Darius Acuff Jr., positions Arkansas as a formidable force in college basketball recruiting. The Razorbacks’ 2025 class is currently ranked second nationally by On3.com’s industry ranking, trailing only Duke. citeturn0search2

Meleek Thomas’s arrival at Arkansas is highly anticipated, as his scoring prowess and versatility are expected to make an immediate impact on the Razorbacks’ lineup in the upcoming seasons.