Arkansas goes overseas to secure commitment from promising, young 7-footer
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Arkansas coach John Calipari has had success in the international market, and he went back to the well on Thursday.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Razorbacks have landed a commitment from Bosnian big man Elmir Dzafic. The 7-foot, 19-year-old center played for KK Bosna Sarajevo in the Adriatic League Second Division last season.
Dzafic joins Lebanese international Karim Rtail as overseas additions to the 2025-26 Arkansas basketball program. He follows in the footsteps of former Arkansas big Zvonimir Ivisic as players who brought professional European experience stateside to play for Calipari. And with Ivisic transferring to Illinois this offseason, Dzafic fills a need in what should be a talented frontcourt.
With KK Bosna Sarajevo last season, Dzafic averaged 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds. He also represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the B division at the 2023 U-18 European Championship. In 8 appearances, he averaged 13.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Dzafic is a bruiser in the low post, though he has played sparingly in the Adriatic League. He’s 1 of 7 newcomers this offseason for an Arkansas group that many expect to contend for the SEC title. DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, and Billy Richmond are all back from a squad that went 22-14 last season. Arkansas also signed frontcourt transfers in Nick Pringle (South Carolina) and Malique Ewin (Florida State).
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Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
