According to reports, JJ Andrews, the 6’6″, 4-star shooting guard from Little Rock Christian Academy, will announce his college decision on Thursday, May 15. He will choose between Arkansas, LSU, and Missouri.
JJ Andrews Could Shift Balance of Power in SEC, CBB
The decision has sparked a flurry of discussion across college basketball, with analysts weighing how his landing spot could tilt the SEC’s recruiting balance.
NEWS: 2026 Top-35 recruit JJ Andrews will announce his college decision this Thursday, May 15th, he told @On3Recruits.
Finalists: LSU, Arkansas, and Missouri. https://t.co/aLUsa2NpF6 pic.twitter.com/Pd1GY8680r
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 12, 2025
As the No. 32 overall recruit and the No. 7 shooting guard nationally in the 2026 cycle, Andrews boasts accolades including Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year and a Peach Jam championship with Brad Beal Elite.
With offers from Oklahoma, Marquette, Illinois, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and USC alongside his finalists, expectations are high for whichever program secures his commitment.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas sits just 127 miles from Andrews’s hometown, offering the comfort of proximity and a chance to be the local hero.
“JJ Andrews has a physical presence and knows how to use that for production… he is comfortable on the ball, and he has a nose for an extra possession,” praised Jamie Shaw after observing Andrews at USA Basketball. That local connection has made the Razorbacks slight favorites in On3’s predictive model.
On coach Eric Musselman’s roster, Andrews would join Nick Smith Jr. to form arguably the SEC’s most dynamic backcourt. Arkansas projects him into an immediate starting role, bolstering perimeter scoring and defensive versatility in Musselman’s up-tempo system.
LSU Tigers
LSU brings championship pedigree and deep NIL resources to the table, fresh off its recent national title.
“You guys may be getting JJ Andrews. Apparently, he really likes the staff there and would have a larger role,” noted an insider, highlighting Andrews’s rapport with Matt McMahon’s staff.
“The style of play has been what Andrews has spoken about liking most at LSU under Matt McMahon,” notes reports, pointing to the Tigers’ planned uptempo, three-and-D scheme. Pairing Andrews with Brandon Murray would give LSU one of the SEC’s most formidable wing duos.
Missouri Tigers
Missouri offers Andrews the chance to be the focal point of a program rebound under Dennis Gates. “Nike EYBL Phoenix: All-Circuit Awards … 19.7 PPG, 71.9 FG%, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG,” the Circuit tweeted, underscoring his elite efficiency and two-way impact.
Nike EYBL Phoenix: All-Circuit Awards 🏆
1st Team 🥇
JJ Andrews | Brad Beal Elite (MO) | 2026
19.7 PPG, 71.9 FG%, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG
Full Awards ⤵️https://t.co/oUZrdZeuEu @JJAndrews2026 @BradBealElite 📹 @athleteaiapp @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/A9yMmXl51Z
— The Circuit (@TheCircuit) May 1, 2025
In Columbia, Andrews could slot alongside Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates, providing the shot-creation that Missouri lacks. Gates’s system, which emphasizes spacing and guard-driven offense, aligns with Andrews’s skill set and promises immediate playing time.
Marquette Golden Eagles
Though not a finalist, Marquette has maintained high-level contact, hosting Andrews on an official visit in February. “Andrews received offers from programs like Oklahoma, Marquette, Illinois, Ole Miss…,” On3 reports, demonstrating the Golden Eagles’ sustained interest.
Under Shaka Smart’s guard-friendly, press-oriented system, Andrews would receive national exposure in the Big East and develop alongside recent pros like Justin Lewis. Marquette’s track record of sending guards to the NBA could be a selling point.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma, another non-finalist, leveraged modern facilities and a national recruiting push to host Andrews on campus. “Andrews received offers from programs like Oklahoma…,” per On3, signaling the Sooners’ dark-horse status.
In Norman, Andrews would fit alongside Brennan Brooks in Porter Moser’s balanced offense, benefiting from elite strength-and-conditioning resources and a strong fan base eager for a marquee backcourt addition.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
Each of these five landing spots presents Andrews with unique developmental pathways and roster fits, with his choice poised to reverberate across the SEC and beyond.
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