The NBA Draft lottery took place over the weekend, so the selection order for the June 23 and 24 draft is officially set. Now, with the order being set, mock drafts and projections can go from being based on best available talent and subjective big boards, to more accurately reflect specific team needs with individual picks and player fit with certain franchises.
Arkansas basketball fans are watching this week's happenings in Chicago very closely as there are four future Pro Hogs currently participating in the week-long pre-draft combine. The Hogs tied with Houston and Arizona as having the most representatives in attendance at this year's week-long pre-draft event.
There are two Razorbacks testing the NBA waters with the ability to return to school next year in Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond. Both guys will have until May 27 at 10:59 p.m. (CDT) to withdraw from the process and return to the Hogs for next season. Last month during an appearance on Barstool Live, John Calipari explained that both guys would likely be back in Fayetteville should they not get first round guarantees.
The combine officially began on Monday and all four players arrived went through on-court drills on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, the combine attendees will be split into four teams and do 5-on-5 scrimmages. ESPN2 will have coverage of Wednesday's scrimmages and NBA TV will have coverage of Thursday's scrimmages.
While all attendees can participate in the scrimmages, Acuff and Thomas have both elected to sit out of this year's 5-on-5 portion of the combine. So, only Richmond and Brazile are slated to see on-court action over the next two days. Acuff and Thomas will still be going through medical testing and interviews with scouts, coaches, front office executives and more.
To stay up-to-date on how all four Razorbacks are doing, check out this story: Arkansas Basketball NBA Draft Combine Updates. All four players' testing numbers from Tuesday's strength, agility and shooting drills can be found in the story above.
As the players go through the NBA Combine process in Chicago, the draft order will undoubtedly get shaken up from where things sat at the beginning of the week. Some players will test extremely well and see their draft stock soar. Other players will see their draft stock dip as they fail to 'wow' scouts, coaches and executives across the league.
It's important to see where things currently stand for Acuff, Thomas, Richmond and Brazile as they go through this week's combine. Then, after the dust from Chicago settles this weekend, the picture will be as clear as ever when it comes to the draft. This is especially for Thomas and Richmond, whose stay-or-go decisions will have a massive impact on the makeup of Arkansas' 2026-27 roster and championship aspirations.
Here's where the four future Pro Hogs are currently projected to land according to some of the top NBA Draft analysts in the country:
DARIUS ACUFF JR. | 6-2, 186, Detroit (Mich.)
Adam Finkelstein: No. 6 to Brooklyn
Jeremy Woo: No. 6 to Brooklyn
Jonathan Wasserman: No. 6 to Brooklyn
Kevin O'Connor: No. 7 to Sacramento
Sam Vecenie: No. 6 to Brooklyn
MELEEK THOMAS | 6-4, 190, Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Adam Finkelstein: Second Round
Jeremy Woo: No. 29 to Cleveland
Jonathan Wasserman: No. 30 to Dallas
Kevin O'Connor: No. 23 to Atlanta
Sam Vecenie: No. 29 to Cleveland
BILLY RICHMOND | 6-6, 205, Memphis (Tenn.)
Adam Finkelstein: Undrafted
Jeremy Woo: No. 49 to Denver
Jonathan Wasserman: No. 41 to Miami
Kevin O'Connor: No. 35 to San Antonio
Sam Vecenie: Undrafted
TREVON BRAZILE | 6-10, 225, Springfield (Mo.)
Adam Finkelstein: Second Round
Jeremy Woo: No. 45 to Sacramento
Jonathan Wasserman: No. 42 to San Antonio
Kevin O'Connor: No. 57 to Atlanta
Sam Vecenie: No. 47 to Phoenix