Miami basketball leads for top 2022 recruit Jalen Duren expected to reclassify

The Miami basketball program is considered the leader for top 2022 basketball recruit Jalen Duren who is expected to reclassify to 2021 according to a report by CBS Sports on Monday. Duran would be the highest-rated player ever to sign with the Hurricanes and an enormous addition to a program heavy on guards.

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported that Duren is 60 percent leading towards playing college basketball in 2021-22 as opposed to turning pro or staying in the Class of 2022. D.J. Irving who coached Duren on the Team Final AAU Team was hired as an assistant with the Miami basketball program during the offseason.

Duren is considering three options for the 2021-22 season according to Norlander. Duren could successfully reclassify, clear college eligibility and play this fall. Fail to qualify for reclassification, not get into college and turn pro or reclassify successfully but decide not to play in college and turn pro anyway.

Duren would be the highest-ranked signee in Miami history. Lonnie Walker who played for the Hurricanes during the 2017-18 season before entering the 2018 NBA Draft was the 18th ranked player in the Class of 2017. Walker averaged 11.5 points per game in his one season with Miami before being drafted by San Antonio.

Norlander believes the opportunities in name, image and likeness in Miami could benefit the Hurricanes pursuit of the potential program-changing player. Duren overtook longtime Class of 2022 top player Eboni Bates earlier this year. One of the players Duren has been compared to his Heat center Bam Adebayo.

Duren is considering Adebayo’s alma mater Kentucky and Memphis who added former Miami guard, Earl Timberlake, during the offseason with the Hurricanes if he chooses college as his next destination. Duren is listed at 6’10, 230 pounds, but one college coach told Norlander he is likely closer to 6’8.

A report from CBS Sports partner site

Inside the U

stated on Monday that Miami head coach Jim Larranaga and his staff are looking to add a player to the frontcourt for the 2021-22 season. Associate head coach Chris Caputo said that he doesn’t have to state that you can read that Miami has work to be done.

The implication would seem to be that the Miami basketball staff is hoping to sign Duren. After what appeared to be a depleted Hurricanes roster entering the 2021-22 season could be a contender to be a top team in the ACC with Duren in their lineup. Miami learned earlier this month guard Isaiah Wong is returning for next season.

Miami also signed guard Charlie Moore from DePaul and forward Jordan Miller from George Mason as transfers during the offseason. Guard Kam McGusty also decided to return to Miami for his sixth college season and fourth with the Hurricanes after sitting out as a transfer from Oklahoma in 2018-19.

Miami lost four transfers during the offseason, including Timberlake. Guards Chris Lykes and Elijah Olaniyi and forward Nysier Brooks all moved on to other schools during the offseason. After three consecutive losing seasons, the Miami roster appears stable entering 2021-22. Duren would take the roster to another level.