Jim Larranaga says success in NBA draft should help recruiting
Miami Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga said after Lonnie Walker and Bruce Brown were selected in the NBA Draft that their success could help in recruiting.
Walker and Brown’s selections were the first time during his 32 years as a Head Coach that Jim Larranaga has had two players selected in the same NBA Draft. It was also the first time that the Miami basketball program had two players selected in the same NBA Draft since 1970. The only other time that occurred was in 1968.
The Miami basketball program shut down following the 1970-71 season. They didn’t return until the 1985-86 season. The Hurricanes have achieved a lot of Miami basketball modern era firsts under Larranaga.
The prior drafts that Miami had two players selected had more than two rounds. The current two-round format was instituted for the 1989 NBA Draft.
Walker was Miami’s first first-round pick since Shane Larkin in 2013. Both Walker and Larkin went 18th overall. Larkin was selected by Atlanta and traded to Dallas. Walker was taken by San Antonio. Brown was picked 42nd overall in the second round by Detroit.
Walker became just the fifth Hurricane in the history of the basketball program to be selected in the first round. Larkin, John Salmons in 2002, Tim James in 1999 and Hall of Famer Rick Barry in 1966 were the others.
Walker is ready to get started with the Spurs. He was quoted in the Sun Sentinel.
"“I’m ready to get after it right now,…If they wanted me to work out and practice right now, I’d do it. I’m ready to compete, and at the end of the day, I want to be the best. I’m addicted to being the best. I’m obsessed with being the next great. It’s time to be a dog, and it’s just that simple. I’ve got something to prove.”"
Brown and Walker join Larkin, Davon Reed, Sheldon Mac, and Trey McKinney-Jones as former Hurricanes under Jim Larranaga that have played in the NBA.
That is a huge recruiting tool for Larranaga to be able to use with potential new players. He spoke to the Sun Sentinel about the importance of having players make it to the next level.
"“One of the things that helps you in recruiting is to be able to explain to your recruits that we’ve had professional basketball players…So if your goal is to play at the next level, know that if you come to the University of Miami, we’ve already produced NBA players, kids who are one-and-done, two-and-done.”"
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In spite of Walker and Brown reaching the NBA after one and two years in college, Larranaga is not going to sacrifice what they are looking for in recruits just to get an extremely high-level talent.
"“We’re very, very comfortable recruiting high-level athletes…But we’re not going to sacrifice the other qualities that we’re looking for just because a young man is talented and projected to be one-and-done. We’re still looking for the very best students we can get, the hardest worker, the best role model.”"
Walker and Brown both epitomized what Larranaga summed up in his last sentence.
They both became leaders, especially for Brown last season. Although they never really had a chance to play together healthy, Brown and Walker have both made a lasting impact on the program.
The hope is that they have successful long careers in the NBA. That will show that the Miami basketball program has finally had players who have had success at the next level.
Next: How to watch Miami basketball alums in NBA Summer League
The Hurricanes were shut out of recruiting this season. Larranaga was able to salvage a good class of transfers. They will resume the attempt to attract high school players to sign for the Class of 2019.