Andrews Speechless When Razorbacks’ Calipari Extended Offer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — John Calipari’s dramatic flair is evident in his recent offer to an Arkansas player. JJ Andrews was taken by surprise when assistant coach Chin Coleman handed him the phone Monday afternoon.
To his astonishment, it was Calipari on the other end. After some discussion, Calipari extended an offer to the highly-ranked star from Little Rock Christian.
Nate Olson from our sister site, High School on SI, spoke with Andrews for over 20 minutes, learning that the call was completely unexpected, though Andrews knew he had been putting in the work.
“I was speechless,” Andrews told Olson.
He led the Warriors to the Class 4A state championship last year, defeating Farmington in the final in Hot Springs. ESPN ranks him as the 15th best player in the 2026 class, while On3 lists him as No. 20 overall and the top player in Arkansas.
This move aligns with Calipari’s strategy to recruit in-state talent capable of competing at a high level. The 6-6 player, described by some as a “game-changer,” seems to fit Calipari’s criteria perfectly.
Andrews is also a legacy recruit; his father, Shawn, played football at Arkansas. However, this doesn’t guarantee he will join the Razorbacks. Ultimately, the decision will be based on what his family believes is best for him.
