Miami Hurricanes Still Looking to Add Two Basketball Recruits
Appearing on the Joe Rose show on WQAM in Miami, Miami Hurricanes head Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga said that his team is still hoping to add two more recruits for the 2017-18 season.
Larranaga has already signed the best recruiting class in program history on the heels of the previous best class in history. As it stands now everyone from the class of 2016 will return in 2017-18.
Bruce Brown had an outstanding freshman season and should compete for All-ACC in 2017-18. He and Ja’Quan Newton will be the team leaders next season.
DJ Vasiljevic improved tremendously as the season went on. He showed he is not just a three-point shooter as he was early in the 2016-17 season.
When Newton was suspended for three games, Vasiljevic was able to show more of his all around game. He was able to penetrate as well as being the team’s best returning three-point shooter.
Dewan Huell was a McDonald’s All-American in 2016. After discussing the possibility of leaving for the NBA Draft after one season, Huell had an inconsistent season. He started for most of the middle of the year, before being benched.
Backup Center Rodney Miller was the fourth member of the class of 2016. Miller scored only 14 points in 15 games playing 57 minutes this season.
Per ESPN, there are still three players considering Miami. Four Star Kevin Knox from Tampa is the best player still considering the Hurricanes. He is a 6’8 203 pound forward. 247Sports lists Knox as an 83 percent chance to go to Duke.
D.J. Russell was a one time commitment to Miami as a Freshman in 2013. Russell de-committed from Miami last July. He is still considering the Hurricanes per ESPN. Russell is a 6’7 208 Power Forward out of Jacksonville.
In addition to Miami, the three star prospect is also considering Kansas State, South Florida, Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, and Florida International.
The final recruit that is still considering Miami is 6’6 180 pound shooting guard Dominic Proctor from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. In addition to the Hurricanes he is still considering Loyola (Il), Southern Methodist,and St. John’s.
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The Hurricanes could also pursue a graduate transfer. The list of players transferring at mid season seeking new schools was extensive. There are potentially quite a few promising players that are transferring that would be eligible immediately as graduate transfers.
New Mexico’s Elijah Brown averaged 18.8 points per game, after putting up 21.7 PPG in 2016. He is unlikely a Miami target. Wherever he winds up will be his third school after he played at Butler as a freshman.
With Brown, incoming Freshman Lonnie Walker and returning point guard Ja’Quan Newton, the ‘Canes are set in their three guard lineup on the perimeter. Add in DJ Vasiljevic and Jim Larranaga has plenty of depth.
Fordham Forward Christian Sengfelder would be a perfect fit for the Hurricanes. He averaged 12.1 PPG and 5.1 rebounds this season. In his three seasons with the Rams, Sengfelder averages 11.4 PPG and 5.8 RPG.
At 6’7 240, Sengfelder would be an excellent replacement for the graduating Kamari Murphy. There will be more players announcing their intentions to seek new schools and the end of the season approaches next weekend.
Next: South Carolina's Frank Martin Began Career in Miami
Gonzaga rode transfers Jordan Matthews and Nigel Williams-Goss to the Final Four this season. Whatever happens with recruits and/or transfers going forward, the Hurricanes should challenge to make the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. That would be the second time in school history for the Hurricanes to accomplish the feat.