Wooga Poplar reportedly wasn't happy with Miami basketball role
Wooga Poplar told Isaac Trotter of 247Sports that he chose to transfer from the Miami basketball team because he was dissatisfied with his role during the 2023-24 season. Poplar was projected to be the top scorer for Miami last season before an ankle injury hindered him for most of the year.
Poplar was second on Miami, averaging 13.1 points per game and 4.8 rebounds, plus he contributed 2.1 assists. Per Trotter, Poplar was fifth among the six players in Miami's rotation with an 18.9 percent usage rate in ACC games. Norchad Omier, Matthew Cleveland, Nijel Pack and Bensley Joseph were ahead of Poplar.
Poplar started 65 of the 66 games he played for Miami in the last two seasons. After making the Midwest Regional Final in 2022 and Final Four in 2023, a lot was expected of Miami in 2023-24 with Omier, Pack and Poplar returning starters. Injuries and a lack of chemistry hindered Miami all season.
The injured ankle led to an inconsistent season for Poplar. Poplar scored more than 20 points four times and single digits eight times during the 2023-24 season. Early in the season, Poplar was projected as a potential late first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft as recent as December.
"WOOGA POPLAR EXPLAINS LATE MIAMI EXIT, TOP SUITORS
- Wooga Poplar to Isaac Trotter 247Sports
"I felt like there was a better opportunity for me somewhere else...Miami is a great school, but I felt like I needed to move on. When I was at Miami, I was kinda in the corner. No plays run for me. So I need to go to a school where I have plays run for me and I can get my teammates involved. I feel like I can do way more than just stand in the corner."
I feel like I can show more coming off ball screens...I'm not just a spot-up guy. I feel like I can do everything on the floor. That's what I'm looking for in my next year. I felt like I was supposed to be that guy until the injury happened"
In addition to entering the transfer portal, Poplar declared for the NBA Draft. Poplar participated in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago but failed to earn an invitation to the NBA Combine. Poplar had inconsistent performances at the G League Elite Camp per the Kentucky Sports Report.
Miami adds elite scoring Stetson transfer G Jalen Blackmon. dark. Next. Miami adds elite scoring Stetson transfer G Jalen Blackmon
Miami has moved on from Poplar. Miami added guard Jalen Blackmon who led Stetson to the NCAA Tournament at shooting guard. Blackmon was the 14th leading scorer nationally in 2023-24. Five-star freshman combo guard and four-star 2024 signee Austin Swartz helps the Miami depth in the backcourt with Pack.