Arkansas picks up commitment from 4-star PG, top-30 prospect, for 1st pledge of 2023 class

Arkansas is on the board in the class of 2023. The first commitment of the class comes from one of the top-30 prospects in the country.

Layden Blocker, a point guard out of Sunrise Christian in Kansas, announced his pledge to Eric Musselman’s program on Saturday.

Sunrise Christian’s Layden Blocker (@Laygogetit2) has committed to Arkansas.

He is the first member of @EricPMusselman’s 2023 recruiting class. #arpreps @ArRecruitingGuy @ETTaylor79 pic.twitter.com/Bc56ps1JNu

— Sam Lane (@SamLaneOK) June 25, 2022

Lay Go H🐗ME #Arkansas #Home @EricPMusselman @CoachSmarty23 @CoachArgenal @AnthonyRuta @michaelmuss_13 @RonnieBrewerJr pic.twitter.com/0U7BKtRxzq

— Layden Blocker (@Laygogetit2) June 25, 2022

Blocker told ESPN that he hopes to play in the NBA, and Musselman’s experience coaching in the league appealed to him.

Top-30 prospect Layden Blocker has committed to Arkansas, he told @PaulBiancardi. “They have a winning culture. Coach Muss has coached in the NBA and has an NBA style of play. My goal is to play in the NBA.”

Blocker is the 12th ESPN 100 commit for Arkansas since the 2020 class.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 25, 2022

Blocker, a Little Rock native, is listed at 6-2, 175 pounds and rated 4-stars, the No. 5 point guard and No. 29 prospect overall in the class of 2023 on the 247Sports Composite. He has 21 scholarship offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Someone needs to add a ⭐️ next to Layden Blocker’s name. He’s been hoopin like a 5 ⭐️ all summer 🦬@Laygogetit2 | @sunrisehoops pic.twitter.com/6RXrNILqaN

— NIBC (@NIBCOfficial) June 7, 2022