One day after securing their first transfer in forward Zvonimir Ivisic, head coach John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball team have already planned another high-profile visit for the near future.
Arizona transfer center Oumar Ballo is expected to pay a visit to Fayetteville, HawgBeat has confirmed. The date of the visit has not yet been specified. Ballo comes off a trip to the Indiana Hoosiers, seen as the main threat in his recruitment.
A native of Koulikoro, Mali, the 7-foot-1, 260-pound transfer averaged 12.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his third season with the Wildcats. He shot 65.8% from the field and 49.5% from the charity stripe.
During the 2023-24 season, the redshirt senior has racked up 31 double-digit games, including 13 straight to start his campaign. His best moment of the season came against Cal when he shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the field for 22 points.
Ballo was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team and the Pac-12 All-Defensive team, among other honors throughout his career. He originally started at Gonzaga during the 2020-21 season. In the NCAA Tournament, Ballo averaged 11.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game against Long Beach State, Dayton and Clemson, respectively.
According to KenPom, Ballo finished the season with an offensive rating of 119.7, an effective field goal percentage of 65.8%, a true shooting percentage of 62.5, an offensive rebound rate of 15.2 , a defensive rebound rate of 26.9 and a block percentage of 5.0. Ballo is also the highest-rated transfer on the portal, according to Evan Miya.
As things currently stand, the Razorbacks have a scholarship player on their roster. Be sure to follow HawgBeat’s premium message board – The Trough – for updates on Arkansas’ offseason roster movement.
