In a positive turn of events for head coach John Calipari's first year at the helm of the Arkansas Razorbacks, it was announced on Tuesday that Trevon Brazile has decided to remove himself from the transfer portal and will be returning to the SEC program.

Brazile, a 6-foot-10 forward, becomes the first player who competed under former coach Eric Musselman last season to announce his return to Arkansas under Calipari's leadership. This development has significantly bolstered the Razorbacks' prospects, propelling them to the No. 13 spot in Version 28 of the 2024-25 CBS Sports preseason Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings.

Last season, Brazile started in 23 games for Arkansas and contributed an average of 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per contest. Prior to suffering a torn ACL against UNC-Greensboro in December 2022, Brazile showcased his talent by averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game.

With this leap in the rankings, Arkansas now joins the likes of five other SEC schools in the top 15. The ranked SEC teams include No. 2 Alabama, No. 10 Auburn, No. 11 Texas A&M, and No. 14 Tennessee. While Alabama remains a strong favorite in the conference, the rankings indicate that teams placed from No. 2 to No. 5 are closely matched, with Arkansas proving itself as a valuable contender.

For Coach Calipari, this opportunity at Arkansas comes after leaving the University of Kentucky under pressure following his 15th season with the Wildcats. The disappointing end to his tenure was marked by a first-round loss to Oakland in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Now, Calipari looks to rejuvenate his Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame career with a promising group of players at Arkansas.

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming college basketball season, Razorbacks fans can rejoice in the return of Trevon Brazile, whose decision has elevated Arkansas' standing in the preseason rankings. With their sights set on success, the Razorbacks aim to make their mark under the guidance of Coach Calipari and build a strong campaign in the SEC.