The Miami basketball program received its first commitment from a high school player in nearly two years when four-star combo guard Isaiah Wong from Trenton, New Jersey committed to the Hurricanes.
Wong was a top recruiting target for the Miami basketball program in the Class of 2019. He was essential with the dismissal of Redshirt Sophomore guard Miles Wilson earlier this week. Wong is the 74th ranked player overall, the 10th ranked combo guard and the third-ranked player in New Jersey in the Class of 2019.
Wong who preps at Monsignor Bonner has not indicated if he will sign with Miami basketball during the early signing period in November or wait until April to pen his letter of intent to officially join the Hurricanes.
The news of Wong’s decision was initially reported by Pat Lawless of PrepCircuit.Com. Wong chose Miami over Clemson, Pittsburgh, UConn and Villanova. Wong spoke to Prep Circuit extensively about his decision to play for Miami.
Wong discusses how he sees his role with the Hurricanes. what he was shown during his visit to Coral Gables, his connection with Head Coach Jim Larranaga, the success of guards in the program and the potential of the other players Miami is pursuing.
Breaking: Isaiah Wong tells @PrepCircuit he has committed to Miami - He talks about his decision & more
— Pat Lawless (@PatLawless_) September 26, 2018
"I felt like Miami was a good place for me because I can see myself playing a big role on their team."
Link: https://t.co/jLNwynojSn pic.twitter.com/JgWEpCCF0d
"“I felt like Miami was a good place for me because I can see myself playing a big role on their team,…They told me to keep working on my skill set and I love the way they play. They play fast paced and I feel like I’ll be in a great position to succeed at that school…They showed me a lot of things like their school, tutoring and everything outside of basketball…They also showed me their great facilities and great weather. I like that they got me comfortable with the academics so I could do well in the classroom. The college life looks great and they treated us really well…Live Feed Miami BasketballSEC Basketball: 10 potential additions for the league if they ever expandedBusting BracketsACC Basketball: Ranking all head coaches heading into 2023-24 seasonBusting BracketsNCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for 4-star C Emmanuel StephenBusting BracketsNCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for 4-star Isaiah Johnson-AriguBusting BracketsNCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 7 teams for top-30 forward Khani RoothsBusting BracketsMiami Basketball: Hurricanes get on the board in 2024 class with Austin SwartzBusting BracketsHe (Larranaga) told me I’m their type of player…He likes that I’m always on the ball, he thinks I play good defense and he really believes in me. Coach just really likes my game and what I can bring.Seeing guards like Lonnie Walker and Chris Lykes playing well made my decision that much easier…I look at the way they played there last year and think I can be just like them when I go there.I think they should come with me and be a championship contending team…If we get everyone to come in like we plan to, we can do a lot of damage. We can definitely make a run if they come because we are all great competitors.”"
Walker was referring to Miami recruits Vernon Carey Jr., C.J. Walker and Anthony Walker. After not signing any players in the Class of 2018, the Hurricanes need to add depth in the Class of 2019. Adding one or two of Carey and the Walkers would give the Miami basketball program one of the best recruiting classes in 2019.
Carey is a Miami legacy and would could create his own legacy at Miami instead of being just another great player at a blue blood school like Duke, Kentucky or North Carolina according to Larranaga. Carey’s father Vernon Senior was an offensive lineman for the Hurricanes in the early 2000s.
Carey Jr spoke to Rivals.Com earlier this year and relayed what Larranaga’s recruiting pitch was to him.
"“They were at our shootaround before this live session. They just come down whenever they can and coach (Jim) Larranaga just says that I could have a legacy there, since my father went there, and I could be the man there.”"
Carey is projected to sign with Duke. The Hurricanes are second in the running according to 247’s Crystal Ball. Anthony Walker is currently projected to go to Pittsburgh. None of C.J. Walker is currently projected to commit to Oregon. Miami is fourth behind the Ducks, Florida and LSU.
Miami loses only Graduate Transfer Guard Zach Johnson after this season. Miami will return Chris Lykes who will be a Junior in 2019-20 and Dejan Vasiljevic who will be a Senior. Kameron McGusty who is sitting out this season after transferring from Oklahoma will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2019-20.