Miami Hurricanes guard Nijel Pack has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal per Joe Tipton of On3. This decision comes after a challenging season for both Pack and the Hurricanes, characterized by injuries and leadership changes. Pack still needs to be approved for a medical redshirt to have eligibility left.
Pack began his college basketball career as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class. He began his career at Kansas State University, where he was a formidable point guard. In his freshman year (2020-2021), Pack averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
His sophomore season saw greater success, as he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and was named the conference's Most Improved Player, averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Following his sophomore year, Pack transferred to the University of Miami in 2022. His move was accompanied by a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, reportedly worth $800,000 over two years.
During the 2022-2023 season, Pack played a pivotal role in leading the Hurricanes to their first Final Four appearance in program history, averaging 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. However, in the 2023-2024 season, Pack's performance was hindered by injuries, limiting his participation to nine games.
During these appearances, he averaged 13.9 points and 4.3 assists per game. His last game was on December 10, 2024, against Tennessee, after which he was sidelined due to an ankle injury. Compounding these difficulties, Miami's head coach Jim Larranaga announced his retirement on December 26, 2024, citing exhaustion and the evolving challenges within the NIL era.
As a highly skilled point guard with a proven track record, Pack is expected to attract attention from programs nationwide. For Miami, Pack's departure signifies a period of transition. With new head coach Jai Lucas taking over, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Pack would transfer. Miami will need to navigate the challenges of roster changes and recruitment over the next month to maintain competitiveness in the ACC.