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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Top-50 senior Jalen Shelley has requested a release from his letter of intent to Arkansas and plans to reopen his recruitment, he told ESPN on Saturday.
Shelley originally committed to the Razorbacks in September, but coach Eric Musselman left earlier this week for the head-coaching job at USC.
When Shelley picked Arkansas, he chose the Razorbacks over a long list that included Louisville, Ohio State, Texas A&M, LSU and Houston.
Shelley was one of two players in Arkansas’ 2024 class, alongside Isaiah Elohim. UMass transfer Josh Cohen had also committed to the Razorbacks, but he quickly flipped to USC after Musselman’s move. Elohim has yet to announce his intentions.
A 6-foot-7 forward from Frisco, Texas, Shelley played this past season at Link Year Prep (Missouri). His senior season ended with a loss to Paul VI (Virginia) in the Chipotle Nationals on Friday, a game in which Shelley had 10 points and six rebounds. He had 15 points and nine boards in a win over Prolific Prep on Thursday.
In 21 games on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, Shelley averaged 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists.