By Kevin McPherson
LITTLE ROCK — Less than 24 hours on the job as Arkansas men’s head basketball coach, Eric Musselman juggled a hectic Monday by extending his first three scholarship offers on the same day the program introduced him as the new Head Hog during a fan ceremony / press conference at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
The offers went out to three top-shelf 2020 recruits — all ranked in the national top 35 — in Little Rock native Moses Moody (6-5 shooting guard, Montverde Academy in Florida, ESPN 5-star prospect) and Hillcrest Hoops (AZ) teammates Kyree Walker (6-5 wing, composite national No. 19 / a 5-star prospect) and Dalen Terry (6-6 point guard, composite national No. 35 / a 4-star prospect).
A source confirmed that Musselman reaffirmed Moody’s Arkansas offer that was orignally extended in the fall of 2017 by the previous Razorbacks coaching staff. Moody also picked up an offer from Ohio State on Monday and now holds offers from at least 15 high-major programs. Following a freshman season in 2016-17 when he helped lead Little Rock Parkview to the 5A state title game and a sophomore season in ’17-18 that was highlighted by an MVP performance to spark North Little Rock’s 7A state title run, Moody enrolled at independent school Montverde where as a junior in ’18-19 he helped lead the team to the national high school semifinals that were played last week.
Moody has broad shoulders with a 7-0.5 wingspan on his 6-5-plus frame, and his shooting skill and efficiency consistently delivered on the Nike EYBL 17U level in 2018 as he led Brad Beal Elite 17U in scoring. Moody also took part in the prestigious Team USA training camp as well as the Nike Elite 100 camp last summer.
Walker — he also picked up an offer from Kansas on Monday — was previously committed to Arizona State and is considering reclassifying to the class of 2019. Prior to Musselman taking the job at Arkansas, Walker had been offered a scholarship to play at Nevada. In addition to Arkansas, Kansas, and Nevada, Walker holds offers from Memphis, Virginia, LSU, Oklahoma, UCLA, Scouthern Cal, Arizona, Arizona State, Illinois, and others. Walker is 6-5, strong, and is a wired-to-score slasher with elite finishing skills. He and Moody participated together at the prestigious Pangos All American Camp following their freshman high school seasons in June 2017.
Like Walker, Terry already held a Nevada offer from Musselman, so when his Arkansas offer came over from the new Razorbacks head coach on Monday he was glad to get it.
“Very interested (in Arkansas) because of Coach Musselman recruiting me for almost a year now,” said Terry, adding that he would consider a visit to Arkansas but that it has not “been brought up yet” by Musselman.
Terry is a big, long, versatile guard who averaged a double-double — 14 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds — as a junior in ’18-19. He also holds offers from Arizona State, Marquette, Southern California, Utah, California, UNLV, and Nevada.
“I think it’s a great way for Coach Musselman to start off his coaching career (at Arkansas),” Hillcrest Hoops coach Nick Weaver said of the Akansas offers that were extended to his backcourt duo. “Kyree Walker and Dalen Terry would be huge additions to the Razorbacks’ roster. Both are big guards that can really defend and score from all levels.”
Terry said he and Walker have discussed playing together at the next level.
“It’s an option,” Terry said. “We have talked about it but it’s not mandatory.”
Arkansas prospects weigh in on new Head Hog Eric Musselman
* 2020 Chris Moore (6-6 combo forward, West Memphis, composite national 4-star prospect): “Hopefully soon I’ll get to meet him and get to know him. Hope to get an opportunity with him like I had with Coach Anderson to help me get to the next level.”
* 2020 Jaylin Williams (6-10 F/C, Fort Smith Northside): “I’m excited to see what he can do for this Arkansas program. Him coaching at the enxt level (NBA) is a plus because he knows what players need to be successful.”
* 2021 Jalen Ricks (6-6 wing, Sylvan Hills): “I think it’s a great hire, a coach with a lot of experience coaching basketball on different levels and I hope Arkansas continues to recruit the in state talent.”
* 2021 Terran Williams (6-4 wing, Barton): “He has a great team! I hope he continues the positive energy and family oriented vibe that the Razorbacks have.”
Memphis inquires about 2021 Arkansas prospects
The Memphis Tigers have inquired and expressed interest in 2021 prospects and 16U Joe Johnson Hawks teammates Jalen Ricks (6-6 wing, Sylvan Hills) and Terran Williams (6-4 wing, Barton), according to a source. Both players currently hold offers from Oklahoma State and TCU.
Ricks is a long and skilled wing with range beyond the 3-point line. In addition to his OSU and TCU offers, Ricks has drawn interest from Arkansas (previous coaching staff), Michigan, Indiana, Texas A&M, Auburn, and others.
Williams is a bouncy slasher who has improved his handles and perimeter shooting, and he has a plus-motor. Williams has also drawn interest from Arkansas (previous coaching staff), Auburn, Colorado, and others.
