Miami transfer Jalil Bethea set to announce decision this afternoon

Former McDonald's All-American and Miami guard Jalil Bethea is set to make a major announcement on his basketball future. Bethea revealed via Instagram that he will announce his transfer destination later today, narrowing his list of options to four schools. The remaining schools still in contention are Kansas State, Alabama, NC State, and a possible return to Miami.

Bethea, a five-star recruit coming out of high school, averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game during the 2024–25 season for the Hurricanes. While his role with Miami fluctuated, he showed flashes of the elite scoring and playmaking ability that made him one of the top guards in the country while in high school. He led all Miami freshmen in scoring and had a career-high 21 points against Syracuse.

The decision comes during a time when many college basketball players are on the move in the transfer portal, and Bethea is one of the most intriguing names still available. Entering his freshman season Bethea was a projected lottery pick so the team that gets him will try to tap into that potential.

Bethea is ranked as the 14th best transfer and fourth shooting guard in the portal per the 247Sports rankings. In the 247Sports 2024 class composite rankings, Bethea was ranked as the seventh prospect and third shooting guard.

A return to the Hurricanes would allow Bethea to build on what he’s developed and potentially take on a more significant role in his second year. New head coach Jai Lucas has acquired three players from the transfer portal after the entire team left for the portal or ran out of eligibility.

Currently, Joe Tipton of On3 predicts that Alabama will be the school that gets the services of Bethea. Outside of Miami, the Crimson Tide are the only school that Bethea was interested in coming out of high school. Alabama has also had the most success of the four teams remaining as they have made consecutive Elite Eight appearances.

Kansas State and NC State both finished under .500 this year. NC State fired head coach Kevin Keatts just one season after making the Final Four and now Will Wade has taken over as the head coach. Bethea’s choice will undoubtedly draw attention across college basketball. His announcement today could shift the balance for whichever team lands him.