Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

When Nolan Richardson was trying to build his program in the mid-1980s, fans suffered through a 12-16 season for Richardson's first Hogs, but they turned out nearly 8,000 strong at Barton Coliseum to see future Razorback stars on display.

Back then, it was Memphis-area products Ron Huery, Larry Marks, Cannon Whitby and North Little Rock sensation Philip McKellar, all fresh out of high school and playing for Amateur Athletic Union traveling teams. The excitement Arkansas fans had for the future of the program was palpable that night.

Now, nearly a quarter-century later, the players that current Arkansas coach John Pelphrey entrusts to his and the program's future will be en masse at one location for all to see in the Arkansas Hoop Challenge on Saturday. Pelphrey referred to his newest in-state signees recently as "Triplets 2.0," though there's not one thing identical about this trio of Arkansas basketball stars who will be Razorbacks in 2011-12. It's more a deference to the Triplets of the late 1970s - Sidney Moncrief, Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph, all 6-fooot-4 and versatile, though each was a different style of player - recruited by Pelphrey mentor Eddie Sutton, who turned Arkansas basketball in to a national powerhouse.

The newest All-Arkansas trio headed to Fayetteville are Jonesboro Westside's Hunter Mickelson, Little Rock Parkview's Aaron Ross and East Poinsett County's Rashad Ky Madden. On the latter, the "Ky" that Madden's been known as for years is slowing giving way to just "Rashad."

Mickelson is a stringbean 6-10 now, built more like North Carolina's current big man Tyler Zeller than former Tar Heel Tyler Hansbrough, and likes to spot up for jump shots from the wing, though he will mix it up inside. He's a "long" 6-10 with arms that will intimidate in the middle and extend for rebounds.

Ross is bulkier, though he won't yet be confused with former Hog superstar Corliss Williamson. He claims to be 6-8, though he might be closer to 6-6 out of his shoes, and Ross shows more propensity for battling inside this season for Al Flanigan's Parkview Patriots, but he also can play on the wing. No question that playing under the fiery Flanigan will have Ross ready to take on the rigors of college basketball.

Madden is the wild card, a former shooting guard who was determined to show off a before-unknown-ability to run the point. Pushing 6-5, he'll be a taller than typical point man. "I think Ky Madden proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can play point guard on the national collegiate level," Arkansas Wings AAU sponsor Ron Crawford said after his program returned from Orlando in the summer with the 17-and-under national championship.

"I think Hunter and Aaron proved beyond a shadow of a doubt they are among the best players in the country," Crawford eagerly added.

Crawford and the high school head coaches of each player decided weeks ago that a holiday showcase for these players in Little Rock was in order. It was easy to pull together, Crawford said. He had plenty of other stars and good teams to participate with them.

Eventually, 10 teams were lined up for the first Arkansas Hoops Challenge, which will be staged Saturday at Little Rock Hall's Cirks Gymnasium and running from 2:30 p.m. until after 10 p.m. The showcase game is Ross' Parkview Patriots against Madden's East Poinsett County team, tipping off at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Other Wings 17-and-under stars Darion Griswold of Dumas and Hall's David Rivers (bound for Nebraska) wil be on display. So will perhaps the most talented player of any age in Arkansas right now: Sylvan Hills 6-foot-5 guard Archie Goodwin.

We've heard all about Ross, Madden and Mickelson for going on four years, and it's fascinating to note that coming up right behind them is maybe the surest NBA talent since Little Rock Central grad and former Hog Joe Johnson, Goodwin. His scholarship offer list looks like the typical list of teams left on the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Well, add Arkansas among those schools, even if the Hogs haven't been typically around for the NCAA's first weekend in more than a decade, except for Pelphrey's first season with Stan Heath's players.