Miami basketball lands key transfer combo guard Elijah Olaniyi

The Miami basketball program has landed a commitment from key transfer combo guard Elijah Olaniyi from Stony Brook in New York. Olaniyi averaged 12.5 points per game and 5.4 rebounds in three seasons with the Seawolves.

Elijah Olaniyi a 6’4 combo guard with one season of eligibility remaining announced he is transferring to join the Miami basketball program. Olaniyi is expected to sit out the 2020-21 season and play his one season with the Hurricanes in 2021-22. Olaniyi is a key addition for Miami.

Guards Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty will be seniors in 2020-21. Miami signing four-star forwards Matt Cross and Earl Timberlake who will enter Miami this fall. The Hurricanes basketball program will also lose big men Rodney Miller and Nysier Brooks who is eligible in 2020-21 after transferring from Cincinnati.

Brooks, like Olaniyi, will have one season to play at Miami after suiting up for the Bearcats for three seasons. The addition of Olaniyi will provide the Hurricanes with a strong backcourt after Lykes and McGusty leave following the 2020-21 season. Rising sophomores Isaiah Wong and Harlond Beverly provide a bright future.

In three seasons at Stony Brook, Olaniyi improved significantly each season. Olaniyi improved his scoring from 7.8 points per game as a freshman in 2017-18 to 18.0 PPG in his junior year this past season. Olaniyi improved his rebounding from 3.8 RPG in 2017-18 to 6.5 in 2019-20 and tripled his assists in the past three seasons.

According to Evan Daniels of 247Sports.Com, Miami beat out Arkansas, Nevada, Minnesota, and Xavier and some other major programs to sign Olaniyi. Olaniyi is not a great three-point shooter averaging just 33.6 percent from beyond the arc during his three seasons at Stony Brook. Olaniyi discussed his decision with 247.

"“Culture, tradition, coach [Jim] Larrañaga, he’s a really respected coach and I feel like under him and under his guidance I can reach my ultimate goal of being a NBA player. The entire staff recruited me, including coach Larrañaga, he was one of the first coaches to reach out.I felt the love from the whole staff, not just one guy. They have a need at my position when I’m eligible to play and just the way they wanted me. I felt the want. The biggest thing that I can bring is experience. I played all kinds of talent in the NCAA, I have performed at the highest level.I feel under coach Larrañaga I’ll be able to hone in on my skills and really bringing them closer to winning a ACC championship.”"

The Miami basketball program won its sole ACC Championship in 2013 under Larranaga. The Hurricanes captured the ACC regular season and tournament titles that season before advancing to the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals. The 2016 Hurricanes also advanced to the Sweet 16.

Miami has not played in the NCAA Tournament since 2018. The Hurricanes dealt with injuries and depth issues in the last two seasons. The addition of Olaniyi, Cross Timberlake should alleviate that for the foreseeable future. Miami is projected to finish in the middle of the 15 team ACC in 2020-21.