By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has received good news on sophomore Billy Richmond III withdrawing from the 2026 NBA Draft and returning to play for John Calipari.
Richmond attended the NBA Scouting Combine and turned heads with his performance. At the combine, Richmond measured 6'5.75" and weighed 195.4 pounds, both without shoes. Richmond and others had until 11:59 p.m. EST to withdraw from the draft.
At Arkansas last season, Richmond played in 37 games. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 block each outing. Richmond shot 56.3% from the field, 25.9% from 3 and 78.4% at the free throw line.
His announcement didn't come without drama surrounding it. CBS' Jon Rothstein first announced on X that Richmond was remaining in the draft only to reverse 20 minutes later.
Rothstein: Source: Arkansas' Billy Richmond is staying in the 2026 NBA Draft.
UPDATE: Billy Richmond has just switched course and will return to Arkansas next season, per his agent Bill Duffy of WME.
The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman had a different take on Richmond's status and posted on X.
Goodman: I’m told that Billy Richmond was not staying in the draft. There was no change of course. The plan was for him to return to Arkansas.
For what it's worth, I also was told that Richmond was staying in the draft, but apparently it had all changed by the time the messages got relayed. Regardless of who was right or whatever, Richmond's return to Arkansas is a big boost for Calipari. If Richmond can improve his 3-point shooting he should have an outstanding chance at being drafted in Round 1 in 2027.
Freshman guard Meleek Thomas had no announcement on his status. If he withdrew or opted to remain it never got communicated to anyone. The general consensus going into Wednesday's deadline was that Richmond would return to the Hogs and Thomas stay in the draft.
The New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics are teams known to have worked out Thomas. He's being projected to go in Round 1 of the draft.
On Thursday, Thomas' agent confirmed the expected that Thomas is remaining in the draft. In 37 games this season. Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.2 block per game. He shot 43.5% from the field, 41.6% from 3 and 84.3% at the free throw line.
In other news, forward Trevon Brazile worked out for the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is expected to be selected in the lottery.
The NBA Draft will be held June 25-26. The first round is on June 25 and then Round 2 on June 26.
