John Calipari’s first offseason as Arkansas’ head coach is already packed with tough roster decisions. One of the biggest involves two talented forwards: Trevan Brazil and Adou Thiero. According to analyst Aaron Torres, the situation may already be leaning in Brazil’s favor, and his emergence means Thiero is unlikely to return to the team.
Brazil’s Emergence Puts Thiero’s Arkansas Return in Doubt
Brazil, a 6’10” athletic forward, stepped up in a big way last season when Thiero got injured. Over the final stretch of the year, Brazil delivered big games, including double-doubles against Kansas and Ole Miss. His strong finish helped him become one of the best big men in college basketball during the final month of the season.
Torres broke down how Brazil’s emergence may have diminished the possibility of Thiero’s return to Arkansas.
“None of us wants to see injuries happen, I think we all understand that. But once that injury did happen last year, who completely steps up and changes the trajectory of maybe his entire career? It was Trevan Brazil. We’ve talked about him, double-double against Kansas, double-double against Ole Miss in the SEC tournament.”
“Brazil stepped up, and when he decided to return to Arkansas without testing the portal, what that said to me is basically John Calipari sold him on the exact same role you were playing to end last season — that’s the role you are going to play this coming season.”
Promise of Key Role Likely the Factor in Brazil’s Decision
Brazil’s decision to return to Arkansas without even entering the transfer portal says a lot. Calipari likely gave him confidence that he’d continue to play a key role in the Razorbacks’ frontcourt. Brazil earned it — but what does that mean for Thiero?
Thiero is a big talent. The 6’6” wing from Kentucky showed flashes of real NBA potential before getting injured. Some analysts believe he could be a late first-round or early second-round pick if he enters the draft. If he returns to Arkansas, he’ll want a major role — and that’s where the problem comes in.
“So what are you going to do? Are you going to bring back Adou and put him in the four and all of a sudden Trevan Brazil is going to go back to the bench when you promised him… a bigger role? Then the counter to that is what are you going to do? Put Adou on the bench? He’s going to be a second-round pick at worst this year, probably a first-rounder.”
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Torres believes Thiero could be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the draft. But if he returns to Arkansas, he’ll want a major role and that’s where the problem is. With Brazil’s emergence and return to Arkansas, it is unlikely Thiero will have a major role to play for Arkansas should he return to the team.
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