University of Miami’s basketball season got off to a more-than bumpy start this past season when legendary coach Jim Larrañaga retired after going 4-8 in the first 12 games of the season. Interim head coach Bill Courtney was thrust into the position and had to do his best with what he had. Miami finished 7-24 on the season under Courtney, the worst record out of any power conference team.
The Miami Hurricanes were left with no other option but to look elsewhere for their head coach of the future. The Canes eventually landed on Duke’s associate coach Jai Lucas, a renowned recruiter who has also spent time on the University of Kentucky and the University of Texas staffs. Now, just less than two months later, Lucas has fully rebuilt the Miami basketball program, with great help from the transfer portal and his wonderful knack for recruiting.
What seemed like a potential dark age for Miami basketball is currently shining, with many in the world of college basketball viewing the Hurricanes as a real threat in the ACC.
So, how did a first-year coach completely reform the roster? Jai Lucas did it by recruiting five four-star transfers, most of which are Florida natives. The list of his transfers is highlighted by Tre Donaldson, a guard from the University of Michigan who led the Wolverines to a Big 10 Tournament Champipnship after his game-winning layup against Maryland in the semifinal game. The Canes also signed three-star guard Jordyn Kee from the University of Georgia. The other transfers, in order of signing, include: Malik Reneau (PF), Ernest Udeh Jr. (C), Tru Washington (SG), and Marcus Allen (PF).
However, it is not just the transfers that are expected to make a big impact in Coral Gables next season. Coach Lucas also recruited high schoolers Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen to play for Miami. Both recruits were flipped from other schools.
Henderson, a five-star small forward from Bellaire, Texas, is ranked as the 14th-best player nationally, and the second-best at his position. His flip from Duke was expected, considering the large role Lucas played in Henderson’s original decision to play for the Blue Devils.
Allen, who is ranked as the sixth-best combo guard in the country, displayed his love for the new Miami coaching staff clearly when he told 247 Sports, “I love the new coaching staff”, ultimately leading to his decision to bring his talents to South Florida.
That new coaching staff includes Andrew Moran, the new director of player development who led Columbus High School to four straight 7A state championships and was recently named the 2025 Naismith National High School boys basketball coach of the year. The Canes also added Charlton Young (Associate Coach), Erik Pastrana (Associate Coach), LJ Rose (Director of Player Personnel), Zack Zillner (Director of Sports Performance/Men’s Basketball), Riley Welch (Special Assistant to the Head Coach), and Jeff Dyer (Director of Basketball Operations).
Miami’s hiring of Jai Lucas marks a new era for Miami basketball, showcasing their commitment to grow with the evolving times of college basketball with NIL and the transfer portal taking over, something that former coach Jim Larrañaga was not interested in doing. All in all, the Miami transfer class is ranked as the 18th best in the country and is poised for big things in the 2025-2026 season.