Arkansas Basketball 2011 Recruiting: Breaking Down the Top Class in the Nation

It has been over 15 years since the Arkansas Razorbacks won the NCAA championship in 1994.

The program that spent much of the 90s atop the nation has been down for quite some time.

However, the Razorbacks are getting geared up to make a quick return to the ranks in the coming years. It has been a process, but hard work by John Pelphrey is beginning to pay off.

The following are six 2011 recruits either committed or listed high interest in the Arkansas Razorbacks in what will return the Hogs to the forefront of college basketball.

Adonis Thomas: Five-Star Recruit

Adonis Thomas is a 6'6" small forward from Melrose High School in Memphis, Tenn., that has offers from top programs all across the nation.

He is currently rated as the No. 11 player in the nation for the 2011 recruiting class.

The Razorbacks have been recruiting him heavily and have hopes that he will join the team in 2011.

Thomas was a star on the 2009-10 USA Basketball Men's Developmental National Team.

He attended the Arkansas Elite Basketball camp (pictured) and has also made other visits to the University of Arkansas. Thomas fits the mold of the perfect player for coach John Pelphrey's system. He is a great scorer, athletic, and a great defender that likes to run the court.

If Arkansas should land Thomas, he would be the biggest recruit to wear a Razorback uniform since the likes of Joe Johnson and Corliss Williamson.

Ky Madden: Five-Star Recruit

Ky Madden is a native of Lepanto, Arkansas and plays for the AAU Arkansas Wings.

He is rated as the No. 15 player in the 2011 recruiting class.

Madden is a 6'4" point guard with amazing length and athleticism. There are few players with the size of him that can handle the ball like he does.

He will be able to play multiple positions at the college level because of his ability to defend with his height and length.

Madden highlights three in state Arkansas recruits all ranked in the top 100 for the 2011 class.

He has attended the Arkansas Elite camps and also has made a number of unofficial visits. Madden is an elite player that is a major piece to Arkansas returning to the top of the nation.

Aaron Ross: Four-Star Recruit

Aaron Ross is a 6'7" small forward with basketball knowledge and awareness beyond his years.

He is rated as the No. 55 player in the 2011 recruiting class.

Ross is one of the three Baby Wings made up of also Madden and Hunter Mickelson that Pelphrey hopes to bring to the Arkansas campus.

Ross committed to the Razorbacks his sophomore season, confirming his solid commitment as recent as late November.

He is strongly recruiting his Baby Wings teammates to join him at Arkansas, and Hog fans should hope he is successful.

Ross has post moves developed and is a threat to score anywhere on the offensive end of the floor. His size and athleticism will allow him to play and defend multiple positions in Pelphrey's up-tempo style of play.

Hunter Mickelson: Four-Star Recruit

Hunter Mickelson is a tall lanky player still growing into his 6'10" frame.

He is ranked as the No. 57 player in the 2011 recruiting class.

Mickelson is listed as a power forward, but he can handle the rock and really shoot the ball. He has the game comparable to many of the European big men you see in the NBA with his range.

Along with Ross and Madden, Mickelson is a member of the AAU Arkansas Wings and has high interest in Arkansas. He has offers from top programs all across the nation, though, just like Ross and Madden.

Hunter has attended the Arkansas Elite camps and also has made frequent visits to the Arkansas campus.

Angel Nunez: Four-Star Recruit

Angel Nunez is a a huge recruit from the East Coast with interest in the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Nunez is ranked as the No. 47 player in the 2011 recruiting class.

He is a 6'7" small forward with good ball skills for a long rangy player. He is extremely hard for larger players to defend and has too much size to be guarded by smaller players.

Wayne Martin Jr.: Four-Star Recruit

Another prime target for the Arkansas Razorbacks is Wayne Martin Jr.

Martin visited the Arkansas campus recently, and his father was a former star defensive lineman for the Razorbacks in the SWC days.

He is an extremely talented power forward, listed as 6'7" and rated as the No. 92 recruit in the 2011 class.

Martin lived in Arkansas up until around junior high before his family moved to Jacksonville, Fla. He has started for his team since his freshman year.

Conclusion: 2011 Class

The 2011 class for the Arkansas Razorbacks, as one can see, has the potential to be the best in the entire nation.

Each player has the size and skills that fit Pelphrey's style of play, and each player has offers from top programs across the nation.

This class not only has the ability to help the Arkansas program return to the elite level but also has the talent to be the best team of Razorbacks ever to wear the uniform.

Given the history of the Razorback program and where it is today, that is a welcomed sight to all Razorback fans.