Miami basketball signee Jalil Bethea impressing at McDonald's All-America practice

Five-star Miami basketball signee Jalil Bethea received praise for his performances during practice, ahead of Tuesday's McDonald's All-American game. Bethea is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Miami since Lonnie Walker IV in 2017. The McDonald's All-American game tips off on Tuesday at 9 PM ET on ESPN2.

Bethea is the seventh best player, third shooting guard and top prospect in Pennsylvania out of Warminster Archbishop Wood in the 2024 class. Led by Bethea and fellow top 100 signee, guard Austin Swartz, Miami signed the 12 best class in the 247Sports composite rankings.

Bethea will join Nijel Pack in the Miami backcourt in 2024-25 and is a projected starter. Miami can pair Bethea and Pack as two combo guards who can distribute the ball and get their own shots. Miami is waiting on decisions from guard Kyshawn George and Wooga Poplar for the 2024-25 season.

At 6'6 and 185 pounds, Bethea provides Miami with additional length in the backcourt. Miami could play Bethea at small forward with Pack and Swartz at guard. Depending on decisions by George and Poplar, Miami should have a versatile lineup with more length in 2024–25. Bethea will give Miami fans a preview in the McDonald's All-American Game.

"5. 5-Star Plus+ SG Jalil Bethea (Miami)
When the brightest lights came on Jalil Bethea did what he does, score the basketball. He has unwavering confidence with the ball in his hands and excellent footwork and an understanding of angles to receive the pass and get a shot off. Bethea was comfortable with the ball in his hands, getting the ball into the front court, but he really played at his best off the ball, looking to score. While the drills and small-sided games did not really showcase his best stuff, during game time he was a threat each time he touched the ball. "

- Jamie Shaw, On3

"Jalil Bethea (No. 7), Miami: Bethea got out to a bit of a slow-start being hyper-aggressive and hunting shots but settled in very nicely as practice went on. His shot wasn't falling to his usual extent but what jumped out was the passes he was making in the half-court. Bethea is a talented scorer and has shown flashes of passing and playmaking potential in the past. He's been trying to find the right balance of when to score and when to pass and he started to find the groove on Sunday."

- Travis Branham, 247Sports

The scouting report from Adam Finkelstein of 247 Sports called Bethea one of the best scoring guards and shotmakers nationally. Finkelstein also stated that Bethea is a shooter who can make tough threes on the move and off the dribble. Finkelstein praised Bethea for his ability as a passer and defender.

Bethea is a consensus lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The return of Pack takes the pressure off of Bethea to do everything next season. Miami is expected to return Norchad Omier at forward and is awaiting a decision by Matthew Cleveland. Miami should have a bounce-back season in 2024–25, led by Bethea and Pack.