John Calipari, Arkansas Top CBB Recruiting Class Rankings After Miikka Muurinen's Commitment

Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen committed to Arkansas on Monday, according to ESPN's Paul Biancardi.

Muurinen is the ninth-best power forward and No. 55 overall player in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2026 class. His addition moves the Razorbacks to the top of ESPN's team rankings.

Coach John Calipari has also landed shooting guard JJ Andrews, small forward Abdou Toure and shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. Former Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and former Furman center Cooper Bowers are also arriving through the transfer portal.

Muurinen told Biancardi and Jeff Borzello he was won over by how Arkansas maintained its pursuit throughout the process.

"Since my visit a year and a half ago, they've been consistent and committed to recruiting me," he said. "They've always shown interest. They've been very consistent, and they've gotten to know me as a person. That's been very important to me.

"When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis."

Muurinen also appreciated how Calipari pitched him directly.

"The thing about Coach Calipari that stood out was that he kept it real with me," he said. "He has had so much success with so many one-and-done players, and I really like his coaching style both on and off the court. He'll push me hard on the court, and he won't give up on me off the court. Cal is a funny guy off the court; he keeps it light."

Muurinen briefly moved to the United States to attend high school before signing with Serbian club KK Partizan ahead of the 2025-26 season.

In eight ABA League appearances, the 19-year-old has averaged 4.9 points on 59.1 percent shooting along with 2.9 rebounds. He also came off the bench six times in the EuroLeague.

247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein said Muurinen has been an inconsistent shooter but possesses the tools to be a stretch big.

"Simultaneously, Muurinen is mobile and athletic for his size," Finkelstein wrote. "He's capable of getting out in transition, exploding for big finishes, and also covers the court well. He's a fluid mover for his size who can run the floor and ultimately has the physical tools that should translate defensively, although that has yet to be something he's committed to."

Nicknamed "Slim Jesus," Muurinen has created plenty of highlights while occupying a larger role for the Finland national team.

Early into Calipari's tenure, attracting talent to Fayetteville hasn't been an issue. Multiple players followed him from Kentucky when he first took the job, and the pair of Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas headlined his 2025 class.

The on-court returns haven't been bad, either. Arkansas reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in each of the last two seasons.

The school is paying Calipari almost $8 million to achieve more than a regional semifinal appearance, though. The Razorbacks are aiming to be in the Final Four for the first time in three decades.

On paper, Coach Cal should have a roster to complete that objective in 2027.