The NBA season tipped off on Tuesday evening, and with it came plenty of opportunities to see some former Arkansas players shine on the sport’s biggest stage.
OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. — The NBA season tipped off on Tuesday night, and with it came plenty of opportunities to see some former Arkansas players shine on the sport’s biggest stage.
The reigning NBA champions got their rings on opening night, which means former Razorback (and Fort Smith Northside) teammates Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams got some hardware.
However, they were just the latest to do so, as Moses Moody and Jordan Walsh have each been a part of a title in recent years, and are still suiting up this season with the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, respectively.
Walsh’s fellow five-star freshman from his year at Arkansas are also prepping for another year in the pros, Anthony Black with the Orlando Magic, and Nick Smith Jr. with a new team, the Los Angeles Lakers. He’ll be joined there by the newest #ProHog, as Adou Thiero was drafted this offseason by the Lakers.
The veterans are still going strong as well, Bobby Portis with Milwaukee and Daniel Gafford in Dallas.
All in all, nine former Razorbacks are on NBA rosters to start the season, the second-most from an SEC school.
The state of Arkansas has even more representation as Lepanto-born Malik Monk is back in Sacramento, while Newark’s own Austin Reaves suits up alongside a pair of Hogs with the Lakers. Taelon Peter, a Russellville-native and Arkansas Tech alum, will be a rookie with Indiana.