FAYETTEVILLE -- Freshman guard Meleek Thomas has announced he will enter the 2026 NBA Draft but retain his college eligibility.

Thomas, 6-5, 185, led the Arkansas team with 1.5 steals per game this season. In 37 games, Thomas also averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists each game. Thomas shot 43.5% from the field and 41.6% from beyond the 3-point line. Thomas shot 84.3% at the free throw line.

ESPN ranks Thomas the No. 28 prospect in this year's draft which would project to late first round. Bleacher Report has Thomas going No. 24 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the latest mock draft. They did an NBA comparison of each player and it was New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson for Thomas. Clarkson was originally drafted by the Lakers out of Missouri.

Thomas is the first Razorback to announce intentions to enter the draft though fellow freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is sure to follow.