Sophomore guard Brandon McCoy of St. John, Calif., Bosco during the 39th annual Tournament of Champions against Edmond, Okla., North at Great Southern Bank Arena. Greta Cross/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Razorbacks' Calipari entertaining another national Top 5 recruit this weekend

Originally posted on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI
By Kevin McPherson | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 5:00 PM ET

For the second consecutive weekend, Arkansas coach John Calipari is hosting a national Top 5-rated, 5-star recruit for an official visit.

This week, it's 2026 big guard Brandon McCoy, Jr. (6-5, Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, Calif., On3 Sports national No. 2, 5-star prospect) arrived in Fayetteville on Friday to begin his visit.

We've reported in recent Hogs on SI articles spanning the past few days that McCoy was in fact due in for an Arkansas official visit this weekend (Sept. 5-7).

Last weekend (Aug. 29-31), Calipari and Arkansas hosted 2026 national Top 5-rated, 5-star guard Caleb Holt of Prolific Prep.

McCoy is considered one of the top two-way players (offense and defense) in the nation.

Calipari has made him a priority for at least two years, making trips out to Los Angeles as year ago to see McCoy when he was playing for St. John Basco high school.

McCoy missed the spring competition on the Nike EYBL circuit, but he competed for Team USA in the squad's unbeaten gold medal run at FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland in July.

Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin was in Switzerland and courtside to see McCoy play for Team USA.

Then later in July, McCoy did rejoin the Nike EYBL circuit play, suiting up for 17U AZ Unity.

In five Nike Peach Jam games, McCoy averaged 22.0 points and 6.4 rebounds. In one appearance, he exploded for 38 points.

McCoy's recruitment has been quiet, although Duke, Southern Cal, UCLA, Arizona, and a host of other high-major programs are recruiting him.

McCoy is a long, big guard with elite athleticism including explosive leaping ability. He's a gifted slasher and finisher in the paint and at the rim, both in transition and in half court settings. He's also an elite defender.

NBA Draft guru Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report projects McCoy as the 9th overall pick (draft lottery first round) as a one-and-done in his recent 2027 NBA mock draft that was published in August.