Guard A.J. Staton-McCray who was the last Miami player remaining from the 2024-25 roster has entered the transfer portal. Staton-McCray spent one season with Miami and was one of only three Hurricanes who played in all 31 games during a difficult season.
Staton-McCray averaged 7.3 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.1 steals while shooting 40.4 percent from the floor, 32.3 percent on three-point attempts and 82.9 percent from the free throw line. Earlier this week, Miami lost freshman guard Divine Ugochukwu, who was the penultimate Hurricane to enter the transfer portal.
Staton-McCray scored in double-figures eight times for Miami with a high of 22 on 8-14 from the field in an 88-78 loss at Louisville on February 8. Staton-McCray started 17 games for Miami during the 2024-25 season after playing in 84 games with 53 starts in four seasons at Samford.
New Miami head coach Jai Lucas has started building the roster from scratch this week. Former Indiana forward Malik Reneau, who is originally from Miami, committed to Lucas and the Hurricanes on Wednesday and former Michigan starting point guard Tre Donaldson announced his move to Coral Gables on Thursday.
Miami guard A.J. Staton-McCray has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 4, 2025
Former Samford transfer averaged 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds this season. https://t.co/uOWMfDRMry pic.twitter.com/YiY7jmrhpv
Expect Lucas to primarily build the new roster through the transfer portal while attempting to sign any remaining players in the 2025 class. Donaldson and Reneau are experienced players who have played in the NCAA Tournament and provide Lucas with an excellent foundation to build the roster around.
Freshman Jalil Bethea, who entered the transfer portal and former 2025 Miami signee Matthew Able are still considering the Hurricanes. Miami needs a low post player, a scorer and wings to its 2024-25 roster. Donaldson and Reneua have one season of eligibility remaining.
Able and Bethea have both taken visits to other programs. Lucas and Miami have reportedly offered multiple transfers and have had a few Zoom meetings to sift through the over 1,700 players who have entered the transfer portal since it initially opened for the spring on March 24.