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Former 5-star signee Jalil Bethea is Miami basketball's biggest transfer loss

Freshman guard Jalil Bethea, who was a five-star signee in the 2024 class, is the biggest loss into the transfer portal since Jai Lucas was officially hired on March 10.
ByAlan Rubenstein|
Jan 4, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Jalil Bethea (3) celebrates after making a three pointer during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Jalil Bethea (3) celebrates after making a three pointer during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Miami freshman guard Jalil Bethea, who was a five-star signee in the 2024 class and who was touted as a potential 2025 NBA lottery pick when he signed with the Hurricanes, is entering the transfer portal per Joe Tipton of On3. Bethea completes the entire 2024 Miami class by entering the transfer portal.

Forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu entered the transfer portal midseason and eventually wound up at Iowa, which has since fired head coach Fran McCaffrey. Guard Austin Swartz entered the transfer portal earlier this week. Backup forward Kiree Huie, who transferred to Miami last year, will also enter the portal per reports on Friday.

Bethea averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 36.8 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent on 3-point attempts this past season. Guards sophomore Paul Djobet and redshirt junior A.J. Staton-McCray remain the only players on the Miami roster with eligibility remaining beyond the 2024-25 season.

Center Ben Ahmen and guard Matthew Able, who signed with Miami in November, were released from the Hurricanes following the retirement of head coach Jim Larranaga in December. Lucas discussed the possibility of having to sign an entirely new roster during his introductory press conference on March 10.

Miami freshman Jalil Bethea will reportedly enter the transfer portal

Bethea was by far the highest-rated talent on the Miami roster. The production from Bethea did not match his recruiting ranking. Freshmen and particularly first-year guards have often thrived at Miami under Larranaga. Bruce Brown, Lonnie Walker and most recently Isaiah Wong towards the end of his freshman season contributed in their first year.

With three days remaining until the transfer portal officially opens, Djobet is the player to monitor for Miami. Djobet can be a complementary player for Lucas, but he is not someone the Hurricanes will build a roster around. The prophecy from Lucas about needing an entirely new roster appears to be coming to fruition.

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