Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Point guard DeQuavious "Dee" Wagner from Alexandria (La.) Peabody Magnet School signed his national letter of intent with Arkansas on Wednesday. He's the first of two likely signees this spring period.

Also, Anderson's program received good news earlier this week when Little Rock Central product Alandise Harris, a 6-foot-6 swingman, said he was transferring from Houston to play for the Razorbacks.

Fans likely recall how Harris almost single-handedly whipped the Razorbacks last November in leading the Cougars to a victory in Verizon Arena. Harris had already indicated to several people in Arkansas that he was likely headed back home, and if that was a "tryout" for Harris in how he matched up against Anderson's roster, call it a major success. He dominated inside and out.

If Arkansas adds another signee in the spring, it's expected to be 6-9 post player D.J. Bennett, a junior college player in Iowa.

Now, about Dee Wagner. The 5-10 point guard has been a focus of Arkansas' recruiting for several months, and a spot basically opened up last week when rising senior Julysses Nobles said he was leaving the Hogs' program.

Wagner was named Mr. Basketball this season by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association. This names of players he joined on that list is impressive. See if you recognize any of the previous winners:

1996: Lester Earl, Glen Oaks
1997: Marcus Fizer, Arcadia
1998: Stromile Swift, Fair Park-Shreveport
1999: Bernard King, Gibsland-Coleman
2000: Chris Duhon, Salmen
2001: Donald Perry, McCall-Tallulah
2002: Darrel Mitchell Jr., St. Martinville
2003: Paul Millsap, Grambling
2004: Glen Davis, University
2005: Tasmin Mitchell, Denham Springs
2006: Demond Carter, Reserve Christian
2007: Greg Monroe, Helen Cox
2008: Greg Monroe, Helen Cox
2009: Joevoskie Mitchell, Zwolle
2010: Markel Brown, Peabody
2011: Ricardo Gathers, Riverside

Wagner's offer sheet, however, is strangely not that impressive. Wagner, according to recruiting services only had offers from Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin, two schools in the Southland Conference with UCA, before Arkansas entered the picture. To say he flew under the recruiting radar is an understatement even as he earned all-district and all-state awards to go with his 2012 state championship MVP.

Wagner averaged 20.2 points per game this season in leading Peabody to a 35-1 mark.

And here's a stat Arkansas fans can relish: Wagner hit 90 percent of his free throws.

Arkansas released a Mike Anderson quote on Wagner's signing Wednesday afternoon:

“I am excited to have DeQuavious become a part of our program. He brings a winning mentality and a warrior’s workmanship. He has quickness, toughness, vision and a high basketball IQ, all qualities that will add to our team. DeQuavious is also a very good student and above all is a character guy. Coach Charles Smith (Wagner’s high school coach) is one of the winningest coaches in the state of Louisiana and says that DeQuavious is the best leader that he has ever had and knows how to win.”

Grades shouldn't be a problem: Wagner reportedly has a 3.6 grade point average and ranks No. 3 in his graduating class.

Anderson's November signees for the 2012 class were 6-3 guard Anthlon Bell of Bartlett, Tenn., 6-5 guard Michael Qualls of Shreveport, La., and 6-8 forward JaCorey Williams of Birmingham, Ala.