Arkansas Targets Final Four Talent in Transfer Portal

Razorbacks look to capitalize on standout players from this year's national semifinalists.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:26am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college basketball game, with sharp planes of red, blue, and gold colors representing the competing teams in an abstract, fragmented style.As the transfer portal opens, Arkansas looks to add Final Four talent to its roster for next season.Fayetteville Today

As Arkansas basketball fans watch the national championship game, they'll be wondering what could have been with Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. The Razorbacks were in the mix for Johnson last year before he ultimately transferred to Michigan, where he's been a standout. Now, with the transfer portal set to open, Arkansas is eyeing several players from this year's Final Four teams who could help fill their needs.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of the college basketball landscape, and Arkansas is looking to capitalize on it after missing out on a key target last season. With several rotation players already entering the portal, the Razorbacks have needs to fill, and they're targeting standouts from this year's Final Four teams who could be a good fit.

The details

Arkansas was firmly in the mix for Johnson last year, but head coach John Calipari decided not to meet his high asking price. That proved to be a miscalculation, as Johnson has been Michigan's leading rebounder en route to the national championship game. Now, the Razorbacks are eyeing several players from this year's Final Four teams who could help fill their needs, including UConn's Eric Reibe and Braylon Mullins, Illinois' David Mirkovic, Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr., and Arizona's Ivan Kharchenkov.

  • The transfer portal officially opens on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Arkansas has already seen two rotation players, Karter Knox and DJ Wagner, declare their intent to enter the portal.

The players

Eric Reibe

A 7-foot-1 freshman center at UConn who has averaged 6.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in a backup role this season.

Braylon Mullins

A 6-foot-6 freshman guard at UConn who hit an iconic shot in the NCAA Tournament and could be a long-shot target for the Razorbacks.

David Mirkovic

A 6-foot-9, 250-pound freshman forward at Illinois who averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season.

Morez Johnson Jr.

A 6-foot-9, 250-pound sophomore forward at Michigan who was a target for Arkansas last season and has continued to excel, averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Ivan Kharchenkov

A 6-foot-7 freshman forward at Arizona who averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while being a defensive presence for the Wildcats.

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What they’re saying

“There are players currently in the Final Four who already have deals agreed upon at their next stop.”

— Luke Loucks, Florida State Basketball Coach

“I hope Arkansas is all about that life. I hope they're in that game and we get something quick here.”

— Curtis Wilkerson, Inside Arkansas

The takeaway

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of college basketball, and Arkansas is looking to capitalize on it after missing out on a key target last season. The Razorbacks are eyeing several standout players from this year's Final Four teams who could help fill their roster needs for next season.