Recruiting expert predicts Miikka Muurinen to Arkansas

FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Valencia

With decision day looming, we now have a clear-cut favorite in the recruitment of 4-star recruit Miikka Muurinen, who will announce his college decision Monday. 247 Sports recruiting expert Travis Branham has logged a Crystal Ball prediction with a 6/10 confidence level for Muurinen to land with John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

A 6-foot-10, 185-pound power forward from Serbia, Muurinen is ranked No. 55 overall and the No. 9 power forward in the 2026 class, according to 247 Sports. His combination of size, mobility, and perimeter skill has made him one of the more intriguing international prospects in the cycle.

Kentucky has been involved throughout his recruitment. Head coach Mark Pope and his staff extended an offer in July 2024 and continued to prioritize Muurinen, including an in-person visit in April 2025.

The Wildcats remained in his top group as he trimmed his list to seven schools, alongside Arkansas, Duke, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and NC State.

Other notable programs such as Indiana, North Carolina, BYU, Illinois, and NC State have also pushed for the talented forward, making this a highly competitive battle down the stretch.

Muurinen is set to announce his college decision Monday at 10 AM ET, as Branham and other insiders believe, Arkansas will be the place where he commits, leaving Pope to look elsewhere as he looks to fill out the 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball roster.

Be sure to add us to your “Preferred Sources” on Google for more Kentucky Wildcats news and views! Go Cats!!