FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline approaching, fans are watching Arkansas forward Adou Thiero.
His decision decision will help shape the Razorbacks’ 2025 basketball season. John Calipari has already improved the roster with some new additions and getting key players back.
Thiero could make them even better and with the deadline set for 10:59 p.m. tonight, Thiero’s future remains uncertain, and the anticipation among Hogs’ fans is building.
A Breakout Season and Rising NBA Stock
Thiero, a 6-foot-6 forward, delivered a breakout junior season, averaging 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, leading the Razorbacks in scoring for much of the year.
His athleticism, defensive versatility, and ability to attack the basket have made him a coveted NBA prospect, though his shooting remains a work in progress — he shot just 26% from three-point range last season.
Despite a knee injury that sidelined him late in the season, Thiero’s performances in key games, such as his 24-point outing against Baylor and 23-point efforts versus Pacific and Little Rock, highlighted his potential to impact games at the next level.
Draft Combine and Uncertain Signals
At the NBA Draft Combine, Thiero offered a cryptic update on his status.
“The door is not completely shut, but we should know more this week,” he said. “For me, the door is kinda closed, but my circle around, they want to hear more great things to finally shut that door.”
This statement left the door slightly ajar for a possible return to Arkansas, but also suggested that Thiero and his advisors are leaning toward the NBA, depending on final feedback from teams and medical evaluations.
Analysts Weigh In
National college basketball analysts have been divided on Thiero’s likely path.
“Adou Thiero and Karter Knox, I think they both wind up back at Arkansas,” Matt Norlander speculated on his Eye on Basketball podcast, but quickly acknowledged the uncertainty that surrounds such decisions.
College basketball insider Aaron Torres was more skeptical.
“I would put it at less than 5%, maybe less than 3%, if Adou Thiero returns to Arkansas.”
Torres argued that Thiero does not fit the typical profile of a player who returns to college—he is already a likely draft pick, stands to earn significantly more in the NBA, and has little to gain by risking another college season.
“If it clicks in the NBA… Adou Thiero, if things go well, could make nine figures, could make over a hundred million dollars playing basketball over the next decade,” Torres said, emphasizing the financial upside of staying in the draft.
Impact on Arkansas’ Roster and Calipari’s Plans
Thiero’s decision comes just days after teammate Karter Knox announced he would withdraw from the draft and return to Arkansas, providing a boost to John Calipari’s second-year roster.
Knox, who averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman, is expected to play a bigger role alongside a talented incoming recruiting class and key transfers such as Malique Ewin.
If Thiero returns, Arkansas would boast a formidable frontcourt duo and a roster capable of contending in the SEC.
However, if Thiero stays in the draft, Calipari will need to rely more heavily on Knox, Ewin, and rising stars like Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, who headline a top-10 recruiting class. The uncertainty has left fans and coaches alike awaiting clarity as the withdrawal deadline ticks down.
The Final Countdown
As the May 28 deadline approaches, the Razorbacks’ hopes for a deep postseason run may hinge on Thiero’s choice.
While some analysts hold out hope for his return, the consensus points to Thiero pursuing his NBA dream, especially if his medicals check out and first-round projections hold.
For now, Arkansas fans remain in suspense, hoping for a last-minute twist but preparing for a new era under Calipari — whether or not Thiero is part of it.
