Jordan Miller announces Miami basketball return, Isaiah Wong deciding

At the end of the season press conference for the Miami basketball program, Jordan Miller announced he will be returning for his second season with the Hurricanes and head coach Jim Larranaga stated that rising senior guard Isaiah Wong is being given“space to pursue his goals.”

Wong entered his name into the 2021 NBA Draft but chose to return to Miami. Miami will have at least one returning starting in 2022-23 to build on their 2022 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Final appearance. The Hurricanes lose starters, forward Sam Waardenburg and guards Kameron McGusty and Charlie Moore.

Larranaga said he expects the Miami basketball program to once again be active in the transfer portal. Miami would “like to recruit a veteran player who can help those (the returnees in the backcourt) guys” per Larranaga. Miami signed a four-man 2022 Class plus and expects to return redshirts Harlond Beverly and Jakai Robinson.

Miami added needed size in the Class of 2022 with all four signees 6’6 or taller. Larranaga praised the performances of guards Bensley Joseph and Wooga Poplar and forward Anthony Walker this season. All three players will step into bigger roles next season and project to be starters. Miami was playing its best in March.

Beverly is returning after missing this past season following spinal surgery. Larranaga stated they do not know what role Beverly will have next season. The expectation should be that Beverly is at least one of the leaders of the Miami basketball team during the 2022-23 season. Miami needs Beverly to be a key player.

Larranaga praised Wong as the ultimate worker and that he is in the gym every day, either in the Hurricanes’ practice facility or a gym on the road. Wong and his mom will decide with their advisors if he will enter the 2022 NBA Draft or return to Miami for a fourth season in 2022-23.

Larranaga said Joseph“has some great leadership qualities he’s…very vocal he’s very verbal he’s articulate…he’s a terrific defender and rebounder for a point guard…offensively there are parts of his game that he’s going to need to pay special attention to, three-point shooting one-on-one moves, fast-break layups.

Different parts of his skill development that I’m sure he’s going to work on.” Larranaga wants Poplar to work on the scoring ability he had in high school. If Wong leaves, Miami is going to need someone who can score for them in 2022-23. If Wong leaves, Miller will be the highest returning scorer for Miami at 10.0 points per game.

Another major focus for Miami this offseason is replacing associate head coach Chris Caputo. Caputo was hired as the head coach at George Washington. Larranaga and his remaining staff will conduct the search for Caputo’s replacement. This is a critical offseason for Miami with multiple questions that need to be answered.