After entering NBA Draft, Norchad Omier in transfer portal
Miami basketball forward Nochad Omier is entering the transfer portal as a backup plan to the NBA Draft per Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald. Omier declared for the NBA Draft earlier this month. Miami head coach Jim Larranaga stated the Hurricanes' goal during the 2024 offseason was to have a bigger roster.
Omier has been an elite post player for Miami in the past two seasons. Listed at 6'7, Omier is closer to 6'5.5 per Larranaga at the end of the Miami season. In two seasons in Coral Gables, Omier averaged 14.9 points per game, 10.0 rebounds, shot 55.2 percent from the floor, 34.5 percent on three-point attempts and 74.3 percent on free throws.
Omier finished 12th nationally in 2023-24 with 17 double-doubles. Larranaga and his staff had contingency plans for losing Omier. Miami signed 6'10 center Lynn Kidd as a transfer from Virginia Tech and 6'8 forward Brandon Johnson from East Carolina. Miami got much bigger but lost its spiritual leader.
The news of Omier heading to the transfer portal came hours after it was reported that Miami guard Wooga Poplar was also leaving the Hurricanes. Omier earned second-team All-ACC in 2024 and third-team All-Conference during the 2023 season. Miami added Omier as an Arkansas State transfer in 2022.
🚨🏀 Multiple sources tell me that Norchad Omier, who had entered NBA Draft, is also entering transfer portal as a backup plan. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #TransferPortal
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) April 25, 2024
Omier is the fourth rotational player Miami has lost since the end of the season. Guard Bensley Joseph transferred to Providence and 6'8 wing Kyshawn George entered the NBA Draft in addition to Miami losing Omier and Poplar. Guard Nijel Pack is potentially the only rotational player returning for Miami in 2024-25.
Forward Matthew Cleveland has not made his intentions for next season known. Players have until May 1 to enter the transfer portal. Miami has eight players on the roster for next season including Cleveland. Sophomore guard Paul Djobet, Cleveland and Pack are the only projected 2024-25 returnees.
Next. How Wooga Poplar transfer impacts Miami roster. How Wooga Poplar transfer impacts Miami roster. dark
Miami signed guards Jalil Bethea and Austin Swartz and forward Isaiah Johnson Arigu in the 2024 class. Miami can add up to five more players to reach the 13 scholarship limit. Oklahoma State transfer guard Javon Small who played with Johnson at East Carolina visited Miami last week.