CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes basketball team participating in summer workouts at the Watsco Center is entirely different from the one whose the season ended at the ACC tournament in March.
Miami said goodbye to seven players in the transfer portal, including starters Norchad Omier and Alamo Woogaand lost Guard Kyshawn Greorge for the NBA Draft.
To replace them, the Hurricanes have 10 newcomers: four freshmen and six transfers. The key to the summer is getting these 10 new players to join the three returning players, Nijel Pack, Matthew Cleveland and Paul Djobet.
“We had a very good summer. It’s been fantastic,” said assistant coach Kotie Kimble. “You’re right, we have 10 new guys, which is a challenge in some ways. But they’ve been great. They worked very hard. I think the biggest challenge is connecting our guys. For example, how well can we play together and play for each other. The more shared experiences we have together, I think the better off we will be.”
Kimble said that in addition to practices, the team will likely hold social events, such as going to Top Golf or a pool party at coach Jim Larrañaga’s house. He said the returning seniors did a good job making sure the team didn’t split into groups.
“This has been an incredible group,” Kimble said. “Nijel Pack, who is in his third year with us, is an incredible leader. He was part of a Final Four team. He really connected the team. Matt Cleveland too. They did a good job off the court making sure they were together. Credit to our seniors, they have been a big part.”
Several of the transfers will have immediate impacts and will become opening night kickoffs. Most of them were beginners at their previous schools. Transfers Lynn Kidd (Virginia Tech), forward Brandon Johnson (East Carolina) and guard Jalen Blackmon (Stetson) started every game their teams played last year. Guard AJ Staton-McCray (Samford) and forward Kiree Huie (Idaho State) also started the vast majority of their teams’ games.
These additions have made the practices more competitive, Kimble said.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Kimble said. “We really believe that.”
The freshmen also bring promise to this year’s team. UM’s recruiting class was seventh in the country, according to 247Sports. That was above North Carolina and defending two-time national champion UConn.
Guard Jalil Bethea highlights the group. The five-star prospect from Philadelphia impressed the team with his skills but also his humility despite the enthusiasm and attention that comes with a top recruiting ranking.
“He’s willing to listen to anyone who wants to talk to him, which will make him better for us and good for us all season long,” Cleveland said.
Miami also signed four-star guard Austin Swartz, four-star forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu and three-star guard Divine Ugochukwu.
“They’ve been good,” Kimble said. “Jalil Bethea, he’s been fantastic. He is super talented. Austin Swartz, he’s been good too. He shot really well this summer. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, his athleticism and ability to play in the open court – he’s been really good. Divine, from Sugar Land, Texas, he’s a point guard who really challenged our guys in practice with his speed and athleticism.
