Arkansas reserve big man reportedly enters transfer portal
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Arkansas made it two Sweet 16 appearances in two seasons under John Calipari in the 2025-26 campaign. Like last year, though, that’s where the Razorbacks’ journey ended as they failed to make the program’s first Elite Eight since 2022 and fourth in six years.
With D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, and redshirt freshman Karim Rtail already in the transfer portal, another player has reportedly joined them. According to On3’s Jamie Shaw, it’s freshman center Elmir Dzafic.
Dzafic, a native of Bosnia, signed with the Razorbacks after two seasons playing professionally in his native country. He was also a member of the Bosnian U-18 team at the European Championship in 2023.
At Arkansas, Dzafic was a little-used reserve. He appeared in just seven games and logged a total of 16 minutes.
It will be a busy offseason for John Calipari, and that’s not including the four players in the portal right now. With freshman phenom Darius Acuff projected as a lottery pick in several NBA mock drafts, it’s all but a formality that the Detroit native will be one and done. Fellow first-year player Meleek Thomas isn’t nearly as sure a bet to make the jump as his decision is pending. The Hogs definitely won’t have Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle in 2026-27, though, as both players have exhausted their eligibility.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
