John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks strike again. Calipari secured his fifth commitment from the 2026 class with Maper Maker announcing his commitment to the Razorbacks on Sunday afternoon via Instagram.
Arkansas Adds to Top Rated 2026 Recruiting Class
Maker burst onto the recruiting scene at the Pangos All-American Camp in 2024. Despite being rated as a consensus four-star recruit in 2025, the 7-foot Australian chose to attend AUNZ Prep back in Australia this past season, per Keegan Pope of On3. He held offers from Arizona State and Oregon coming out of high school.
Maker returned to the US with AUNZ Prep earlier this year to play in a three-day showcase in Mesa (AZ). Maker was impressive throughout the tournament, tossing in 35 points in a win over Arizona Compass. He visited the Fayetteville (Ark.) campus a couple of weekends ago, ultimately choosing the Razorbacks over Syracuse and Memphis.
“Maker has a smooth and fluid frame,” Rivals analyst Jaime Shaw said about Maker. “He carries great length, and he moves effortlessly around the court. On multiple occasions, he would push the break and finish at the rim. He is a solid rebounder and a good rim protector. “
Razorbacks 2026 Recruiting Class
Maker joins a superb Razorbaks 2026 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 1 by ESPN and On3. Their 2026 class features five-star recruits Jordan Smith Jr. and Abdou Toure, along with high-level four-star recruits JJ Andrews and Finland’s Miikka Muurinen.
“A top-ranked Calipari recruiting class shouldn’t surprise anyone, per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi. “He finished with the No. 3 class in 2025, his first full cycle at Arkansas, after consistently competing near the top at Kentucky and Memphis. And with the late-April addition of Muurinen, the Razorbacks will finish the cycle at No. 1.”
“But beating out Duke for Smith in February is the headline for this Razorbacks class,” the duo continued. “Smith is the best guard in the 2026 class, and he can play either backcourt position. He’s a winner and has proved that on the AAU, high school, and international circuits.
While Smith Jr., Toure, Murrinen, and Andrews are projected to play a big role for the Razorbacks this upcoming season, Maker is considered more of a long-term prospect. Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, 7-1 redshirt freshman Paulo Semedo, Murrinen, and perhaps sophomore Isaiah Sealy are ahead of Maker on the depth chart.
Overall, Arkansas has 11 commitments for 2026-27. The Razorbacks know they won’t have Darius Acuff Jr., as he is expected to be a high-lottery NBA draft pick. However, they are awaiting decisions on three players.
Arkansas Adds to Top Rated Class, Waiting for Official Decisions From Richmond and Thomas
Billy Richmond III and Meleek Thomas are two of the players whom the Razorbacks are waiting to hear from. Both players are currently mulling whether to stay in the 2026 draft. Richmond, who showed improvement in year two, is expected to return to the Razorbacks for his junior campaign. Meanwhile, Thomas projects to remain in the draft.
According to Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, nine of the 10 NBA executives that he spoke to believe that Thomas should stay in the draft.
Malique Ewin is the other player who has a decision to make. Ewin is in the transfer portal as he awaits the NCAA’s decision on whether to grant him an extra year of eligibility. But he may return to the Razorbacks if he gets a waiver. If he does return, the 6-11 center expects to have a major role in the frontcourt.
Ewin started his career at Ole Miss in 2022 and then spent a season at South Plains College (JUCO). He returned to Division I in 2024-25 at Florida State before transferring to Arkansas last season.
“While the door hasn’t completely slammed shut, the Arkansas basketball staff is not currently expecting the Georgia native back in 2026-27, according to a source,” Andrew Hutchinson of Best of Arkansas Sports said. “After spending his entire college career in the South, that may be about to change, as it’s believed he’ll land at a Big Ten school if his waiver is approved.”
Photo credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
