Billy Richmond III, the Arkansas sophomore who has become a central figure in the 2026 NBA Draft conversation, has confirmed that he will keep his name in the draft.
He filed his draft declaration on April 24 and subsequently participated in the pre‑draft process, where he was consistently listed as a second‑round prospect by major projection models.
A pivotal season for the Razorbacks
During his second year he averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.1 steals in 37 games, contributions that helped Arkansas reach the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive season and earned him a place on the 2026 SEC All‑Defensive Team.
His offensive output saw a noticeable jump after he was inserted into the starting lineup in mid‑February, a move that also coincided with a league‑second 57.4 percent shooting mark in SEC play.
With Richmond’s departure, head coach John Calipari will rely more heavily on the freshmen class, highlighted by five‑star wing prospects JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure, who are expected to command the majority of minutes on the wing.
The roster will also feature guard Jordan Smith Jr. as the primary point guard and Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson, who should provide a scoring punch as an off‑ball guard; the team is still awaiting a decision from forward Meleek Thomas, a recruit whose commitment could further shape the lineup.
Richmond’s choice reflects a broader trend of college players electing to remain in the draft pool, a development that NBA executives continue to track through league channels and platforms such as X, while media coverage from CBS Sports and the USA TODAY Network keeps fans informed.