141. JD Notae: Overcoming Odds

JD Notae can flat-out score. The reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year has moved into a starting role for Eric Musselman’s Razorback basketball team, and is a threat to lead the league in scoring. Notae looks like he’s been playing basketball his whole life, and, considering he only started playing in eighth grade, it’s amazing how much he’s developed in such a short amount of time. Notae overcame a difficult upbringing, which included moving from place to place and watching his mom serve four years in prison. Sports were an escape, and eventually, he found basketball. And while he started playing too late to get major attention, he’s found the spotlight at Arkansas. With his mom—having turned her life around—by his side as his biggest fan, Notae is ready to prove he can top last year’s performance and lead the Razorbacks.