Miami basketball gains experience and versatility with transfer PF Brandon Johnson
Jim Larranaga is following through on his promise for the Miami basketball team to get bigger with the addition of 6'8 East Carolina power forward Brandon Johnson on Wednesday
The Miami basketball program continued to add size with East Carolina 6'8 forward Brandon Johnson joining the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Miami previously added 6'10 Virginia Tech center Lynn Kidd earlier this month. Johnson provides Miami with versatility on the 2024-25 frontline.
The addition of Johnson likely means that forwards Matthew Cleveland, Norchad Omier or both will not return to Miami for the 2024-25 season. Johnson has improved in each of his three seasons at East Carolina. Johnson averaged 14.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 2023-24 at East Carolina.
Johnson is an efficient scorer shooting 47.9 percent from the floor, 36.5 percent on three-point attempts and 73.9 percent from the free throw line in 2023-24. With Johnson, Kidd and potentially Cleveland or Omier on the 2024-25 roster, Miami should significantly improve its interior defense and rebounding next season.
In three games versus the SEC at East Carolina, Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG and 6.7 RPG while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent on three-point attempts but made only three of his seven attempts from the free throw line. Johnson went scoreless in his only other game versus a Power Conference opponent in 2022.
ECU transfer Brandon Johnson has committed to Miami.
— PortalUpdates (@portal_updates) April 3, 2024
The 6’8” junior forward started 31/31 games averaging 14.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals. Johnson shot 42% from the field, and 37% from 3 (65/178).
Will be joining Virginia Tech transfer Lynn Kidd. pic.twitter.com/KXMheud9Ly
The ability of Johnson to shoot the three well and excel in rebounding should allow Miami to continue to space the floor well. During deep NCAA Tournament runs in 2022 and 2023, the ability of Miami to space the floor caused match-up problems for opponents.
Next. Miami adds needed size with Virginia Tech transfer C Lynn Kidd. Miami adds needed size with Virginia Tech transfer C Lynn Kidd. dark
Johnson recorded seven doubles-doubles in 2023–24, with three occurring in the last four games. Johnson is the 71st overall and 12th power forward in the 2024 247Sports transfer portal rankings. Expect Miami to add one to three more transfers as Cleveland, Omier and guards Kyshawn George and Wooga Poplar ponder their decisions for next season.