Miami in mix for 4-star center known as 'Baby Shaq'

The Miami Hurricanes are firmly in the mix for one of the most intriguing frontcourt prospects, with four-star center Marcis Ponder including Miami among his top seven schools. The 7-foot, 328-pound big man, nicknamed “Baby Shaq,” narrowed his list to Miami, Providence, Indiana, Cincinnati, Texas, Florida State and Illinois.

Ponder will spend his next season at Gillion Basketball Academy in Virginia after a stint at West Oaks Academy in Florida. He averaged 9.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during his junior year at West Oaks. On the AAU circuit with Team Breakdown, Miami coaches have become familiar with the way he plays.

Ponder is a 4-star recruit, ranks No. 69 nationally, No. 3 in Virginia and No. 7 among centers in the country, according to 247Sports Composite. The Hurricanes are hoping to sway him into returning home. While no official visit has been announced under the current coaching staff, he has previously made an unofficial trip to Coral Gables. Ponder has only officially visited Providence and will surely plan additional trips before making a decision, likely in the fall.

An On3 report quoted the 7-footer saying, “I’ve reshaped my body over the past six months, I’m all the way down to 280 now, and that has helped me to be able to run the floor. My motor and my second effort are better now, too." The size and athleticism he possesses will help him to contribute early for whichever program he decides on.

Head coach Jai Lucas is aiming to rebuild the Hurricanes' basketball program after a disasterous season in 2024-25. The entire team from last year is gone and with Lucas — who is a very skilled recruiter — the sky appears to be the limit after a bit of recent offseason success. Only time will tell if that will be enough to sway Ponder into coming back to the Sunshine State.