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21 - Gafford

5 - Bailey

3 - Jones

2 - Hall/Thompson/Gabe

1 - Macon/Barford pic.twitter.com/83rbOt3gs6 — Razorback Basketball (@RazorbackMBB) December 14, 2017

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FAYETTEVILLE -- Mike Anderson has confirmed what many already expected.

Freshman guard Khalil Garland will redshirt this season after not playing in Arkansas' first nine games because of an undisclosed health condition, the head coach announced Thursday. Sources told Hawgs247 during the summer that the Little Rock (Ark.) Parkview product did not pass his physical due to a heart issue.

"Nothing has changed with his status, but we are going to go ahead and redshirt him this year," Anderson said. "Given the amount of time he has missed already, I think that’s going to be best for him and he can go ahead and really get down with school and see how everything operates."

HIPAA laws prevent Anderson from divulging any more details, but he said he remained "very optimistic" that Garland will be able to play next season.

A high three-star prospect, Garland was the No. 2 high school player in the state for the Class of 2017. He signed with the Razorbacks despite having offers from several big-time basketball programs, including SEC foes Alabama, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.

Garland was one of three in-state players who inked with Arkansas during the early signing period, joining El Dorado's Daniel Gafford and Little Rock Mills' Darious Hall. Unlike those two, who have played significant minutes as true freshmen, he has watched from the sideline as the Razorbacks have started 7-2. Gabe Osabuohien, a late addition to the class from Southwest Christian in Little Rock, has also appeared in games this season.

"We just stay positive with him," senior Anton Beard said about Garland. "He's one of the most talkative guys we've got, even though he's not playing. He's always energetic. He's happy to be here and we're happy for him.

"We just tell him to be patient, his time is coming. We feel sorry for him, but we don't always show it. Tough love sometimes is good."

Although he hasn't been cleared to play in games, Garland has been able to participate in some drills at practice. That has lifted his spirits, Anderson said.

"I think the biggest relief came to him when he could actually get out on the floor and do some things with us," Anderson said. "Not necessarily the scrimmaging part of it, but just to be able to get out there. As long as he’s with these guys, he’s okay."

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