Pat Forde, who has been covering college basketball since 1987, speculated in his column for Sports Illustrated on Monday if the highly-ranked class of 2025 Miami Columbus twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer could flip from Duke to Miami if the Hurricanes hire Jai Lucas from the Blue Devils as has been widely reported.
The Miami Hurricanes were widely reported to be the runner-up for the Boozer twins before they signed with Duke. Lucas was the primary recruiter for the Boozers. Miami currently only has four-star guard Matthew Able committed in its 2025 class. Center Ben Ahmed was granted a release after signing with Miami.
Cameron Boozer is currently the No. 2 prospect, top power forward and highest-rated player in Florida in the 2025 class. Cayden is the No. 22 ranked prospect, fourth point guard and fourth player in Florida in the 2025 class. Lucas was also the primary recruiter for 2025 Duke signee Shelton Henderson.
Lucas will potentially face the prospect of rebuilding the entire Miami roster. Guards Jalil Bethea, Paul Djobet, A.J. Staton-McCray and Divine Ugochukwu are the only Miami scholarship players on the 2024-25 roster with remaining eligibility. There is a very real chance all four could enter the transfer portal.
"If Lucas does go to Miami, what happens with the two star recruits of the 2025 class, twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer (6)? They’re the sons of former Duke great Carlos Boozer, but they were also heavily recruited by Lucas and happen to be from Miami.Pat Forde, Sports Illustrated
It’s one thing to lose a top assistant to a head coaching job—that happens at successful programs. It’s another if you lose a top assistant and have him take two star recruits with him... It’s another element of intrigue that will hang over a Lucas-Miami courtship."
Some thoughts on a potential Jai Lucas hire for Miami Basketball. He checks every single box except for head coaching experience. Without a doubt important, but the pedigree and resume is remarkable. Would flip the Canes roster immediately pic.twitter.com/gRARZD4pQM
— CanesInSight (@CanesInSight) February 22, 2025
Jai Lucas would be an ace recruiter for Miami if he takes the job
This late in the recruiting cycle for the 2025 class, Lucas flipping Cameron and Cayden Boozer would be foundational for the 2025-26 Miami basketball roster. It seems more likely for the Boozer twins to stay with Duke, which is established and will lose three freshmen to the 2025 NBA Draft, including projected top pick Cooper Flagg.
If Lucas is hired by Miami, which is expected, he is more likely to flip the Miami roster through the transfer portal. Jim Larragana was highly successful adding and developing transfers throughout his Miami tenure except for the 2024-25 season. Lucas can point to Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey on how to quickly turn around a program.
Louisville was 12-52 overall and 5-35 in the ACC in the last two seasons under alum Kenny Payne. The Cardinals are 22-6 overall and 15-2 in the ACC under Kelsey this season. Louisville signed one player in the 2024 class and added 13 transfers to its 2024-25 roster. Kelsey has quickly built chemistry and a winning team.
Forde also speculated on when Lucas could join Miami. Duke is projected as a No. 1 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which will begin for the Blue Devils on March 21 or 22. Forde compared Lucas being hired by Miami before the season ends to high-profile Alabama coordinators leaving or staying during their College Football Playoff runs.