Miami basketball next move with A.J. Casey and Christian Watson transferring

The Miami basketball team is losing sophomores A.J. Casey and Christian Watson to the transfer portal after disappointing seasons for them and the Hurricanes per Joe Tipton of On3. The departures of Casey and Watson will clear up needed scholarships for Miami entering the 2024-25 season.

Casey averaged 1.4 points per game, 1.5 rebounds and shot an abysmal 37.0 percent from the floor. Casey was the 80th prospect, 14th power forward and third player in Illinois in the 2022 class. In two seasons, Casey was never able to find a consistent role. Casey averaged 7.8 minutes per game in two seasons.

Watson also signed with Miami in the 2022 class as the 127th-ranked prospect nationally, the 29th small forward and the top player in Washington D.C. per the 247Sports composite rankings. Watson averaged 1.4 PPG, shot 36.4 percent from the floor and made only 27.0 percent of his three-point attempts. Casey and Watson failed to develop after being in the rotation off the bench at the beginning of this season.

Miami is down to 11 scholarships for next season. The Hurricanes are likely to lose more players to the transfer portal. Several Miami players could enter the NBA Draft or seek professional opportunities overseas. Jahlil Bethea, the seventh-ranked prospect, highlights the 12th-ranked 2024 Miami class.

Kyhsawn George, Norchad Omier, Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar could all enter the 2024 NBA Draft. NBA scouts are enamored with George's length and skill set on the perimeter. Omier is undersized. Another year in college to improve his perimeter skills could help his draft status for 2025.

Poplar never seemed to recover from an ankle injury in December. Another season for Poplar to become the go-to scorer would help him. Pack has likely reached his ceiling. After the loss to Boston College, Pack was non-committal about next season. With four college seasons behind him, it seems like Pack is leaning toward leaving.

Miami is also set to return Paul Djobet, Bensley Joseph and Michael Nwoko. Djobet is another player to watch for Miami with the potential to enter the transfer portal. Joseph could return for a fourth season with Miami or look to transfer somewhere that will guarantee him a bigger role running an offense.

Nwoko will likely have an increased role next season. Jim Larranaga could start Nwoko at center and move Omier to power forward to provide Miami with more size. Bethea is likely to start for Miami as a true freshman. Austin Swartz, an exceptional outside shooter could play a role off the bench. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu is more of a developmental player.