Where Miami basketball players ranked as recruits
David Cobb of CBS Sports examined the rotations for each of the Final Four teams and where the players ranked as recruits. Cobb listed nine players each for Connecticut, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State and eight for Miami. The 2019 Miami basketball class was critical in building the foundation of the current roster.
After Miami did not sign any players in the 2018 class the Hurricanes signed Harlond Beverly, Filippos Gkogkos, Anthony Walker and Isaiah Wong in the 2019 class. Wong has steadily improved throughout his Miami basketball career which has culminated this season with being named the ACC Player of the Year.
The 2019 class was ranked 31st nationally. Beverly was the highest-ranked player in the class but hasn’t developed as much as Wong, partially due to injuries. Walker has been a valuable player up front backing up Sam Waardenburg last season and Norchad Omier this year. Walker provides size and athleticism.
After Miami signed the 52nd-ranked class in 2020, the Hurricanes have the 25th-best class in each of the past two seasons. The 2021 class was as critical to the success of the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Tournament runs as the 2019 class. Miami signed Bensley Joseph, Wooga Poplar and Jakai Robinson in 2021.
The Miami Hurricanes have leveraged NIL-funded recruiting all the way to a Final Four…fueling critics like Charles Barkley, who calls the current state of college basketball a "travesty and disgrace." pic.twitter.com/VzRMclROCs
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) March 28, 2023
"No. 5 seed MiamiAverage ranking: 120.8Unranked players: 2StartersIsaiah Wong | No. 88Nijel Pack | No. 126Wooga Poplar | No. 123Jordan Miller | N/ANorchad Omier | N/ABenchBensley Joseph | No. 106Harlond Beverley | No. 54Anthony Walker | No. 228"
Jordan Miller and Charlie Moore who became critical starters in 2021-22 signed with Miami as transfers in the spring of 2021. Miller just completed one of the best games in NCAA Tournament history making all seven of his shots from the floor and 13 free throws leading Miami to an 88-81 win over Texas on Sunday.
Forward A.J. Casey is the only 2022 signee who played in the majority of games for Miami this season. Casey played in 28 games off the bench this season and has a bright future. The 6’9 213 pound Casey was the 80th ranked prospect, 13th power forward and third in talent-rich Illinois in the 2022 class.
Next. Jim Larrananga WQAM appearances this week. dark
Jim Larrananga made adding size a priority in the last two recruiting classes. All four 2023 signees plus transfer forward Norchad Omier are 6’6 or taller. Miami signed 6’9, 240-pound Michael Nwoko in the 2023 class. Larranaga and Miami have proven in the last two years you don’t need Mcdonald’s All-Americans to succeed.