Calipari target gets ESPN praise after Arkansas visit, per report

Caleb Ourigou wrapped up an official visit to Arkansas early Sunday morning, and according to a story from Richard Davenport at WholeHogSports.com.

ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi believes the four-star center would be a strong fit for John Calipari’s roster.

Davenport’s report details how the 6-foot-10, 220-pound big man earned an Arkansas offer on June 14 after a standout week at the NBPA Top 100 camp in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

He averaged 9.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 74% from two-point range at the event, numbers that helped him pick up additional offers from TCU, Alabama, Baylor, Georgetown, Ole Miss and Oklahoma.

Scouting report praises footwork and motor

Per Davenport’s story, Biancardi pointed to Ourigou’s footwork and ability to score with either shoulder when defenders make him work for it.

He also highlighted the big man’s defensive range, noting he can block a shot and still recover for a second effort on the same trip down the floor.

Davenport’s story notes Ourigou already visited Kentucky, BYU and Connecticut before arriving in Fayetteville, and he’s mulling a reclassification to the 2026 class so he can play college ball this fall.

The numbers back up the buzz.

Ourigou posted 6.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for Overtime Elite’s Cold Hearts squad last season, then upped that production to 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this spring on the Nike EYBL circuit with NY Rens.

ESPN slots him as the No. 6 center and No. 42 overall prospect in the 2027 class.

Key takeaways:

  • Richard Davenport’s report at WholeHogSports details Caleb Ourigou’s official visit to Arkansas after the Hogs offered him June 14
  • ESPN’s Paul Biancardi praised his footwork, finishing and defensive versatility in comments to Davenport
  • Ourigou is weighing several offers and a possible reclassification to the 2026 class

RAZORBACK FOOTBALL

Sat, Sep 5vs North AlabamaW 31-14
Sat, Sep 12@ UtahL, 43-10
Sat, Sep 19GeorgiaL, 45-17
Sat, Sep 26TulsaW 34-6
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&ML, 34-7
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeL, 24-17
Sat, Oct 17@ Vanderbilt6:00 PM
ESPN2
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriTBA
Sat, Nov 7@ AuburnTBA
Sat, Nov 14South CarolinaTBA
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasTBA
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUTBA

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Shiloh Christian (10)5-01613
2.Bentonville West (3)5-01394
3.Conway (4)4-11302
4.Bentonville4-11211
5.Joe T. Robinson5-01035
6.Searcy5-0776
7.North Little Rock4-1447
8.Springdale Har-Ber3-227—
9.Sheridan5-023—
10.Greenwood3-222—
Others receiving votes: Bryant 19, Benton 15, LR Christian 13, Fayetteville 7, Stuttgart 6, Mountain Home 5, Farmington 4, El Dorado 4, Sylvan Hills 4, Pulaski Academy 3, Van Buren 1, Jacksonville 1, Nashville 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Shiloh Christian (10)5-0763
2.Bentonville West (3)5-0594
3.Conway (4)4-1552
4.Bentonville4-1451
5.North Little Rock4-195
Others receiving votes: Springdale Har-Ber 5, Bryant 4, Fayetteville 2.
CLASS 6A
1.Searcy (16)5-0841
2.Benton (1)3-2453
3.Sheridan5-0434
4.El Dorado4-1315
5.Mountain Home4-121—
Others receiving votes: Sylvan Hills 19, Van Buren 12.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (16)5-0841
2.Greenwood (1)3-2552
3.Farmington5-0464
4.Jacksonville4-133—
5.Little Rock Parkview3-2163
Others receiving votes: Greenbrier 9, LR Mills 7, Camden Fairview 4, Morrilton 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (11)5-0761
2.Nashville (4)5-0692
3.Gosnell (2)5-0483
4.Ozark5-0254
5.Elkins4-1155
Others receiving votes: Gravette 8, Arkadelphia 4, Forrest City 2, Fountain Lake 2, Pottsville 2, Lonoke 2.

CLASS 3A
1.Bismarck (4)4-1622
2.Fordyce (7)3-1601
3.Mansfield4-2284
4.Walnut Ridge (4)4-123—
Rison5-023—
Others receiving votes: Rivercrest 21, Smackover 16, Glen Rose 14, Newport 6, Atkins 2.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (10)6-0711
2.Baptist Prep (7)5-0692
3.Marked Tree4-1294
4.East Poinsett County4-119—
5.Gurdon3-2175
Others receiving votes: Earle 14, Hazen 9, Bearden 9, Bigelow 9, Dierks 6, Hector 3.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (7)5-0291
Cedar Ridge (5)5-0292
3.Magazine (1)4-0153
Others receiving votes: Izard County 4, Rose Bud 1.