Meleek Thomas gives Arkansas second top-10 recruit for 2025

Five-star prospect Meleek Thomas committed to Arkansas on Monday, giving coach John Calipari and the Razorbacks their second top-10 recruit in the 2025 class.

Arkansas is now the only program in the country with multiple top-10 commits already in the fold, with Thomas, the No. 9 in the ESPN 100 and no. 2 shooting guard, joins Darius Acuff (No. 8/No.1 point) guard).

Thomas chose the Razorbacks over hometown Pittsburgh, while UConn had also previously recruited Thomas and was on his final list.

“Everybody I talked to was so positive about coach Cal,” Thomas told ESPN. “He’s touched so many lives with his guys who have become NBA players and so many others. He and the staff have kept in touch with both me and my family the whole time. I’m big on family and Coach Cal is a warm-hearted person who built a good relationship with both me and my family.”

Arkansas made a strong push down the stretch of Thomas’ recruitment to become the clear leader, with the Razorbacks’ new system a key factor in his decision.

“Their style of play was a differentiating factor,” Thomas said. “Coach Cal holds himself accountable and his players accountable. I’m the type that wants to know the truth so I can learn and grow. They want a lot of guys that can score and I’m comfortable coming in and playing defense immediately.

“The amount and energy of the program is exciting and I want to be a part of it.”

Thomas is a 6-foot-4 guard from Pittsburgh who currently plays in the Overtime Elite program. He was one of the top scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring, finishing ninth with 20.3 points per game. match. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists and shot just under 34% from 3-point range. In six games with the New Heights Lightning at the Nike Peach Jam in July, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting better than 37% from 3.

Thomas has a goalscoring mentality but is also capable of providing timely assists. He has a thin frame with decent speed and quickness, and is especially effective in transition, either leading the break or finishing the play. He is aggressive but confident with the ball in his hands and does not rush to get to his place on the floor. Thomas can play both guard positions and has made strides in ball screen situations.

Arkansas now has two of the elite guards in the 2025 class, with Thomas joining Acuff in Fayetteville. Acuff, the top-ranked point guard in the country, committed to the Razorbacks in July. The two of them are enough to put Arkansas near the top of the 2025 recruiting class rankings, but the Razorbacks are also making a strong push for the No. 5-ranked prospect Caleb Wilson.