McDonald makes switch

Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey has reached into the Jayhawk Conference to sign Arkansas City (Kan.) Cowley County Community College small forward Montrell McDonald.

McDonald, 6-foot-6 (185), chose Arkansas after originally making an oral commitment to Texas Tech. Shortly after making his oral pledge to the Red Raiders, McDonald was offered by the Razorbacks and chose to take an official visit to Fayetteville. On Friday, McDonald ended his recruiting by signing with the Razorbacks.

"Arkansas was the best fit for me," McDonald said. "I enjoyed the campus and players. They really made me feel welcome on my visit."

McDonald averaged 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore. McDonald also visited Kansas State and had scholarship offers from Indiana, Oregon and Colorado.

"I fit into Arkansas' system," McDonald said. "I like the style of play at Arkansas and feel that fits me extremely well."

Arkansas had a need for McDonald since senior Sonny Weems will likely be in the NBA next season and Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College small forward Daniel Payne is no longer eligible to attend Arkansas after signing with the Razorbacks in November.

"That was one of the main reasons I signed with Arkansas," McDonald said of the chance to play immediately. "When you only have two years to play, you have to go somewhere you are needed."

McDonald joins Cincinnati (Ohio) Harmony Prep small forward-shooting guard Jason Henry, 6-7, 195, in signing during the spring signing period with the Razorbacks. Both McDonald and Henry are candidates to replace Weems and both could be on the court at the same time as well.

"I play good defense," McDonald said. "I'm a good passer and I have the ability to help make my team win games. I just do what it takes to win."

Henry and McDonald join what now is four players who signed early. Arkansas is also recruiting The Patterson (N.C.) School combo guard Varez Ward, 6-2, 185.

Ward is expected to visit Arkansas and then decide between the Razorbacks and Texas, where he visited last weekend.