The 2026 NBA Draft will decide where Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson and Ernest Udeh Jr. begin their professional careers. But Miami's next NBA draft class is already taking shape.
Jai Lucas enters his second season with a roster that includes a potential first-round wing, a five-star freshman with one-and-done upside, an All-Big East point guard, a proven SEC rim protector and a former top-50 national recruit who could take a huge sophomore jump.
Shelton Henderson
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound sophomore started all 35 games as a freshman and averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 56.7% from the field. He tied Miami's freshman single-game scoring record with 30 points against FIU, scored 22 points at Clemson and added 18 points in the NCAA Tournament against Purdue.
Henderson is powerful, athletic and difficult to keep out of the paint. He finishes through contact, rebounds well for a wing and can avoid becoming a one-dimensional downhill scorer.
In year 2, Henderson needs to become a more reliable perimeter shooter. His sophomore season will determine whether he becomes a fringe first-round prospect or pushes into lottery territory.
Caleb Gaskins
The 6-foot-8 freshman arrives as one of the best recruits in program history. Gaskins is the second-highest-rated recruit in program history in the 247Sports Composite, he was a McDonald’s All-American, ranked No. 11 nationally by Rivals and ESPN, and helped Columbus win its fifth straight Florida state championship in 2026.
Gaskins has the size, athleticism and defensive upside NBA teams want. A strong first season could make it his only season in college and solidify him as a lottery pick.
Acaden Lewis
Lewis arrives from Villanova after one of the best freshman seasons by a guard in the Big East. Lewis averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals, earning second-team All-Big East honors and unanimous All-Freshman Team recognition. He also set Villanova freshman records with 176 assists and 63 steals.
Lewis sees the floor, creates offense in the pick-and-roll and showed he can carry a scoring load when necessary, including a 26-point performance at Georgetown.
The biggest next step is efficiency from the perimeter. Lewis needs to show that defenses cannot duck under screens or ignore him away from the ball. A more complete shooting profile would raise his draft stock and give him the chance to leave early.
Somto Cyril
Cyril, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center, earned SEC All-Defensive Team honors at Georgia last season after averaging 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game. He led the SEC in blocks, led the nation with 83 dunks and set Georgia's single-season field goal percentage record by making 75.9% of his shots.
In year 2, Cyril a chance to become more than just a specialist and role player. The physical tools are already there, and a larger role in Coral Gables could turn him into a real late-rising big-man prospect.
Dante Allen
Allen started 18 games as a freshman, including the final 16, and averaged 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Those numbers are modest, but Allen entered college as a consensus four-star prospect and the No. 64 player in the 2025 class in the 247Sports Composite.
He will have more opportunity in 2026-27, with Miami needing backcourt production around Lewis. The path to stronger draft consideration begins with becoming a more consistent scorer and improving his 3-point shooting. If he can do those things, then maybe the second round is a good range for him next year. Although, he does seem more likely to be a 2028/2029 NBA draft prospect if he can't sneak into the first round for 2027.
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