PHOTO: Former Arkansas stars join HC John Calipari for Razorbacks' "first Fantasy Experience" ft. Pat Bradley, Todd Day, and more
Arkansas coach John Calipari rubbed shoulders with a number of Razorbacks greats for the program's first-ever Fantasy Experience event on Thursday. Legendary coach Nolan Richardson, assistant coach Ronnie Brewer and former Hogs players Joe Johnson, Kamani Johnson, Michael Hogue, and Isaiah Morris were present in the arena alongside more coaching masterminds Pat Bradley and Todd Day.
Calipari, as he has been doing all summer, clicked a photo with the guests and updated the program's fans on X.
"So awesome having so many former Razorbacks back this week for our first Fantasy Experience at Arkansas! Hope they can all stick around for the football game Saturday," Calipari wrote.
Moreover, Humanitarian Award holder Jerry Haffey, former Razorback Kareem Reid and former NBA player Corey Beck were also present on the campus, as highlighted on Calipari's X.
The inaugural Fantasy Experience allowed basketball and Arkansas fans to ball with and against the Razorbacks’ 2024-25 team. One of its segments features an exclusive camp by John Calipari for hoopers who are either playing in a rec league or think they would have made it big during their younger years.
The age limit for the camp was set to 30 years for the players and 21 for coaches, with a fee of $2,500 and no restrictions on prior playing experience. Calipari posted a picture alongside the participants and staff on Thursday.
Alongside skills contests and evaluation games in the Bud Walton Arena, the experience also featured a morning coffee and a tip-off dinner with John Calipari.
Arkansas roster significantly revamped under John Calipari
Calipari shook up the whole program upon his arrival. He brought in 13 scholarship players for his first Arkansas roster. The team features transfers from Calipari’s previous program, Kentucky (Sophomores Zvonimir Ivisic and DJ Wagner and junior Adou Thiero), two walk-on additions, and six freshmen.
Senior forward Trevon Brazile is the lone holdover from last year's Arkansas team and is expected to start. Senior transfers Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis are also likely to start due to their experience.
Aside from Davis and Wagner, though, there is not nearly as much experience in the backcourt.