After a tumultuous 2023–24 season, nearly half the Miami basketball roster has been overturned. Miami lost starting guard Bensley Joseph and four reserves to the transfer portal. Forward Norchad Omier and guard Kyshawn George are foregoing their final eligibility to enter the NBA Draft.
East Carolina forward Brandon Johnson and Virginia Tech center Lynn Kidd are transferring to Miami. Johnson and Kidd make up the sixth-best transfer class. The Hurricanes signed the 12th-ranked 2024 class. Guard Jalil Bethea is a projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery pick and expected one-and-done with Miami.
Guard Austin Swartz and forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu are the other two 2024 Miami signees. Swartz could have an impact for Miami as a scorer off the bench. Johnson-Arigu is more of a long-term prospect who needs to develop. Bethea and Swartz are 6'4 to provide good size on the perimeter and Johnson is 6'7 and 200 pounds.
Miami is not finished in the transfer portal. The Hurricanes need to add depth with only seven players definitely on the 2024-25 roster. Guard Wooga Poplar and forward Matthew Cleveland have not decided if they will return to Miami next season. Christoper Stock of Inside the U reported, "Miami is turning focus to adding guards in the transfer portal."
NBA Early Draft early entrees
George is a consensus NBA first-round pick. Scouts like George's length and skill set at 6'8. In his one season with Miami, George played in 30 games, starting 16. George averaged 7.6 points per game, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor 40,8 percent on three-point attempts and 77.8 percent on free throws.