Arkansas basketball is on the cusp of securing a new front‑court piece for the 2026‑27 campaign, with sources indicating that the Razorbacks are close to finalizing a deal with Russian center Ilia Frolov.
A Promising Addition
Frolov, a 6‑foot‑11, 225‑pound big man, currently plies his trade in Spain’s Under‑22 junior league, where he has posted averages of 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
His shooting repertoire includes a 36 % clip from three‑point range, a 52.8 % field‑goal percentage and an impressive 84.6 % free‑throw rate, numbers that have drawn attention from several programs across Europe.
Real Madrid’s senior squad competes in the Liga ACB, Spain’s premier professional basketball division, providing Frolov with a high‑level environment that mirrors the NBA’s relationship with the G‑League.
Coach John Calipari has been vocal about the need to bolster the team’s interior depth, and insiders say his staff has been working closely with scout Mikhail Ratts to evaluate the Russian prospect’s fit within the program’s philosophy.
If the agreement materializes, Frolov would become the latest international talent to join the Razorbacks, joining a growing list of European players who have made the transition to the SEC.