By JAMES MADDEN & SAM LANCE
KANSAS CITY, KS — Four-star guard JJ Andrews has become a legend in the Arkansas high school basketball scene, winning state championships, player of the year awards and more. But his legacy in the state is set to become much greater than one in high school, but one at the collegiate level.
Andrews announced his decision to commit to the Razorbacks on May 15, choosing them over Missouri and LSU. His family’s legacy in Fayetteville won’t be beginning with his career, however. JJ’s father, Shawn Andrews, earned first-team All-SEC honors at Arkansas twice as a member of the football team and was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
Andrews said his father’s career at Arkansas played a role in his dreams when he was younger, but he ultimately made his college decision based on much more than just his dad’s career.
“As time went on I figured it was best for me to do what’s best for myself,” he said. “My parents, they never swayed me at all. I feel like the fit was ultimately best at Arkansas. Of course it’s right in my back yard, so that’s a great upside. But I feel like it was a great fit for me and my family.”
At 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, Andrews is a versatile and athletic wing. Currently attending Little Rock Christian Academy (AR), he’s spending another summer with Brad Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit. Through three sessions, Andrew’s is averaging 19.5 points and 4.5 rebounds, and he’s skyrocketed up recruiting rankings due to his play.
“I’m very versatile,” Andrews said. “I can work in the post, I can work on the wing or be a guard. Whatever it takes to win, that’s what I’ll do.”
IN DAT MODE…@NikeEYB @BradBealElite
vs Florida Rebels26 PTS / 6 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL
https://t.co/u8UkhCqCYw pic.twitter.com/Rl7dsUU9VW
— JaShawn “JJ” Andrews (@JJAndrews2026) April 28, 2025
: The five-star will be joining a history of incredible players under head coach John Calipari and will use Arkansas’ expertise to develop his game for the next level.
“They have a great staff,” Andrews said. “I love the staff, they’re great people. I feel like they’ll develop my game very well, and I feel like we have a chance to win a national championship. On my visit up there I went to eat at [Calipari’s] house. He has a very nice house, very nice family. Loved his wife and even his pets too. He has a great family vibe about him.”
Winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award in the state of Arkansas, Andrews has had the state’s spotlight on him for a very long time. Electing to stay brings some amount of pressure, but Calipari knows better than anyone how to deal with it.
“He’s told me to just be myself,” Andrews said. “A lot of people can feel pressure. I even felt a little bit of pressure. He just told me to be myself and just go out there and have fun.”
As for other plans from the Arkansas staff?
“They just me told they’re gonna help develop my entire game, which is what I want,” Andrews said. “I want to develop my entire game before I even step on campus. Really just developing everything in my bag, agility-wise and just overall.”
Andrews will bring an infectious personality to Fayetteville, and he encourages Razorback fans to not be afraid to say hello when they see him around town.
“They’re getting a great person,” he said. “I love to laugh, love to smile, love to be around people. So whenever you see me just say what’s up.”
Andrews has started building relationships with current players and recruits. He’s talked to incoming five-star Meleek Thomas about his decision to choose Arkansas, and he said he’s working on recruiting other 2026’s to join him, but he won’t name names.
The four-star is Arkansas’s first commit in the class of 2026. Andrews is ranked as the No. 17 recruit in the class of 2026 and the top-ranked player in the state of Arkansas per 247Sports.
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