With the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder concluded and OKC crowned as champions, the basketball world has turned its attention to the NBA’s main offseason spectacle: this week’s draft. As the moment approaches, tensions are rising, and everyone in the basketball world has something to say.
Naturally, not all voices carry the authority of Arkansas Razorbacks HC John Calipari. That’s why everyone in the basketball world paid attention when the legendary coach decided to praise “Hawgs” star forward Adou Thiero ahead of the draft.
Arkansas HC John Calipari Drops Bold Comparisons For NBA Draft Prospect Adou Thiero
The current head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks spoke about his star forward during an interview with the popular podcast “The Jim Rome Show.” According to Calipari, Thiero is undoubtedly ready to play at the highest level, including the NBA playoffs.
“If you watch the NBA Playoffs, it is so rough, you better be built like Adou Thiero,” Calipari said. “If you’re not and you’re a younger player, you’re not playing in these playoffs. He is physically ready right now, and athletically, [he] hits his head on the rim right now. He’s got to heal, but I think he’s in pretty good shape.”
Thiero suffered a hyperextended left knee injury in February against Missouri that sidelined him for eight games. He returned to the Razorbacks for the Sweet 16 game against Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament, but he was not fully recovered at that time.
Nevertheless, Calipari reiterated that the 6’8″ player is ready to play in the NBA immediately.
“If you’re not physically able to go to hand-to-hand combat. If you can’t play when a guy’s grabbing and holding. If you can’t go get a rebound when two guys are just absolutely clubbing you, if you can’t make a layup where you got hit twice, you can’t play in these [playoff] games. Adou Thiero can play in that kind of game.”
Calipari went further, comparing Thiero to T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin, who were key players in the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals.
“Right now, the guys that aren’t able to step in and play physically can’t do it. You look at T.J. McConnell in the NBA Finals. He physically is like, ‘I’m not afraid, and I’m ready, and I’ll go, and I’ll bring it.’ All of a sudden, he has that kind of game.”
He continued, “[Bennedict Mathurin] did the same thing. Mathurin went crazy, but he physically could do that. Adou could do it. I’m excited for him.”
McConnell and Mathurin were indeed standout performers for the Pacers during the NBA Finals. McConnell made history in Game 3 with 10 points, five assists, and five steals – becoming the first player to record those numbers off the bench in an NBA Finals game.
Meanwhile, Mathurin led all scorers in that same game with 27 points, becoming the youngest player to score 25 or more points off the bench in a Finals game since 1970-71.
Thiero followed John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas after the 2023-2024 season. Thiero was exceptional with the Razorbacks, averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 54.5% from the field and 25.6% from three-point range on 1.6 attempts per game.
In recent appearances on various shows, including “The Pat McAfee Show,” Calipari has advocated for Thiero’s draft stock. “I wouldn’t miss on Adou Thiero in this draft,” Calipari said. “He can play in a physical game; athletically, he’s in that one percent. He’s somebody if you pass on, they’ll look back and say, ‘How many people passed on him?'”
Multiple mock drafts project Thiero as a second-round selection, with several outlets having him going to the Charlotte Hornets with either the 33rd or 34th overall pick. ESPN’s mock draft has included Thiero among the Hornets’ second-round targets, alongside other defensive-minded prospects that fit the team’s recent roster construction philosophy.
The 6’6.25″ forward (he measured 6’8″ in shoes at the combine) has a 7’0″ wingspan and exceptional athleticism. Despite his shooting struggles, Thiero’s defensive versatility and physical tools have kept him firmly in the conversation as a potential NBA contributor.
The 2025 NBA Draft takes place June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, giving Thiero just days to wait and see where his professional journey will begin.