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Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari's streak of first-round picks ends at 2025 NBA Draft

Fort Smith, ARSports

Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari's 17-year streak of first-round NBA Draft picks ended Wednesday night in Brooklyn, New York, as no Razorbacks were selected. Adou Thiero, the lone Arkansas player with a chance for a top-30 pick, is expected to wait for his name to be called in the second round. Thiero, along with Boogie Fland and Zvonimir Ivisic, were viewed as potential first-round candidates, but both Fland and Ivisic transferred after one season. Fland could emerge as a first-round pick in 2026, depending on his performance at Florida, while Ivisic aims to improve his draft stock at Illinois. Calipari's streak began in 2008 while coaching Memphis, where Derrick Rose was selected first overall.

He later moved to Kentucky, leading to 37 Wildcats being drafted in the first round over 15 years, including 25 lottery picks. This year, both Arkansas and Kentucky failed to have a player picked in the first round. Earlier this week, Calipari bragged about his players' success in the NBA, claiming they have earned $6 billion collectively.

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Fite to run in District 24, focuses campaign on children, seniors

Former state representative Charlene Fite announced her candidacy for Arkansas House District 24, focusing on issues affecting children, seniors, and rural communities. Fite, who previously retired in 2023, cites renewed health as a motivation for her return to public service. She will compete against Melissa Koler and Ryan Intchauspe in the Republican primary.