Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari might have found a hidden gem to fill out his frontcourt rotation for the 2025-26 season.
The Hogs landed a surprise commitment Friday afternoon from 7-foot-1 big man Paulo Semedo, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2025. Ranked 50th nationally, the 19-year-old was the highest-rated uncommitted prospect on ESPN’s board prior to the Razorbacks swooping in. Semedo also held offers from Arizona State, Florida State and others.
Semedo is a native of Angola, a Portuguese-speaking nation in southern Africa, but played high school ball at West Oaks Academy in Florida. He’s a raw talent at this point, but his height and reported 7-foot-5 wingspan – some rumors indicate that measurement could be up to 7-foot-8 – give him a high ceiling.