Kentucky Transfer Set to Play Crucial Role for Razorbacks This Season
Calipari will require greater consistency from the junior small forward.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With a roster featuring more upperclassmen than freshmen this season, Adou Thiero has the chance to play a significant role for Arkansas. Standing at 6-8 and weighing 220 pounds, the Pennsylvania native is seen by many NBA Draft experts as having NBA potential.
Last season, Coach John Calipari told Kentucky fans and media that a single improvement in Thiero’s game could elevate him from a first-round pick to a top-10 lottery selection in the NBA Draft.
“If I told you he could be a top-10 pick … just get your shot better. Get that thing down. I told him, I’d have a bed in the practice facility. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I’d go to class, go back, sleep in that bed, get up, go to that gym, and shoot,” Calipari said of Thiero.
“Part of it is getting a shooting expert to work with you. It’s the only thing between him and [being drafted in the top-10]. I just think he’s so talented. He’s got a quick twitch. Getting in better shape. Might have to drop five pounds or so. But I told his dad, he hasn’t even touched how good he can be.”
Thiero was considered a first-round prospect in the latter part of the 2023-24 season due to his improved shooting and defensive impact. He increased his overall field goal and free throw percentages by nearly 20% last season while maintaining his three-point makes.
He is an effective rebounder who aggressively pursues misses at the rim for second-chance points. His strong frame allows him to absorb contact and maintain leverage to finish shots near the rim.
Thiero’s length also enables him to challenge shots at the rim. A notable aspect of his game is his ability to get low against smaller defenders while still exploding with quickness and adequate hops.
In transition, Thiero displays above-average speed, chasing down opponents on fast breaks for blocks. His wingspan impresses spectators, as no shot is safe from his reach, no matter how high the arc or how close to the rim.
For most of last season, Thiero was a role player, averaging seven points and five rebounds per game. If he continues to develop rapidly under Calipari’s coaching staff, his potential is limitless.
