Miami Hurricanes could be adding another star transfer
After already adding three star transfers this spring, the Miami Hurricanes could be adding a fourth. Alabama rising Junior power forward Braxton Key will reportedly visit Miami on Thursday and Friday according to the Miami Herald.
Key was a consensus four-star recruit in the Class of 2016. He averaged 7.0 points per game and 5.3 rebounds in 26 games for the Crimson Tide last season. Key would be a much-needed addition to the Miami Hurricanes frontline. Those numbers were down from 12.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 2.4 assists per game as a Freshman in 2016-17.
Miami will lose rising Seniors Ebuka Izundu and Anthony Lawrence Jr. after next season. Rising Junior Dewan Huell declared for the NBA Draft but has not hired an agent. If he does return for the 2018-19 season, there is a strong likelihood he would leave after next season.
At 6’8 240 pounds, Key would give Miami some much needs size entering the 2019-20 season. He is the nephew of three-time National Collegiate Player of Year Ralph Sampson.
Key visited Sampson’s alma mater Virginia on Wednesday. Virginia was one of the programs that recruited Key out of high school. Kansas was the most high profile program with interest.
That doesn’t give the Cavaliers the advantage it might seem to. One of then Virginia Coach Terry Holland’s Assistants during all four of Sampson’s years in Charlottesville was Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Jim Larranaga. Larranaga was on the Virginia staff from 1979-86.
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Key started seven games for Alabama last season. He missed the first ten games of the year with a knee injury. Key’s numbers went up slightly in conference play as he got healthy. He averaged 8.0 PPG and 5.7 RPG in Southeastern games.
Key was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017. Heat Rookie Bam Adebayo also earned a spot on that team.
If Key does decide to attend Miami he would be the fourth member of an all-transfer recruiting Class Jim Larranaga and his staff have put together.
The Hurricanes announced the additions of Oklahoma transfer guard Kameron McGusty, Wyoming Guard Anthony Mack and Florida Gulf Coast guard Anthony Johnson last month.
Key would have to sit out this season with McGusty. They would both have two seasons remaining. Johnson will be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer and have the 2018-19 season remaining.
Mack tentatively would have to sit out this season but is asking the NCAA for a waiver. He told 247Sports.Com’s Evan Daniels that he should be good to go.
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Mack would hopefully have four seasons of eligibility remaining. He sat out his Freshman season in 2017-18 with effects from a lingering concussion.