The Miami basketball program has the sixth most improved roster nationally according to CBS Sports in their article about “College basketball recruiting: The 10 teams that improved the most by the new players they landed in 2021.” Miami is adding three freshmen and two transfers to their 2021-22 roster.
The article is subtitled“Here are the programs that appear to have improved the most through the 2021 recruiting cycle.” Miami lost five transfers following the 2020-21 season. Miami will add 2021-22 freshmen four-stars, small forward Jakai Robinson and point guard Bensley Joseph and three-star shooting guard, Nisine Poplar.
Jordan Miller from George Mason and Charlie Moore from DePaul are joining the Miami basketball program as transfers. The five new Hurricanes up the players on scholarship to 12. Thirteen is the limit for Division I programs. Miami played with as few as six scholarship players in 2020-21 due to injuries.
The Miami basketball program is still waiting to see if guards Kameron McGusty and Isaiah Wong are returning for the 2021-22 season. McGusty and Wong entered their names for consideration for the 2021 NBA Draft. Players have a deadline of July 7 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.
"6. Miami:247Sports recruiting class ranking: No. 24Breakdown: Miami’s 10-17 season, replete with injuries and transfers, would have been enough to drive many 71-year-old coaches to retirement. But Jim Larranaga is returning for some redemption with the help of a solid recruiting class that will surely outshine the program’s now disintegrated 2020 haul.DePaul transfer Charlie Moore and George Mason transfer Jordan Miller are proven producers, and three freshmen will compete for minutes. Assuming last year’s leading scorers Isiah Wong and Kameron McGusty withdraw from the NBA Draft, the incoming players should comprise most of the supporting cast on a team that will be far more competitive."
The Miami basketball program will attempt to break a three-year cycle of injuries, suspensions and transfers that led to losing records. Jim Larranaga will attempt the worst three-year stretch for the Hurricanes since 1991-94. Getting McGusty and Wong to return would be huge additions on the court and as leaders.
McGusty would be entering his sixth season of college basketball. If McGusty and Wong return, Miami would have four proven scorers with Miller and Moore. The Hurricanes will be a very perimeter-oriented team. Center Rodney Miller and forwards Deng Gak and Sam Waardenburg are not scorers.