Jim Larrañaga Talks Transfer Portal, Recruiting as Miami Begins Offseason

Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since he and his team returned home from the Final Four in Houston.

The transfer portal was a major point of discussion, as Miami benefited from it this past season with former transfers Norchad Omier and Nijel Pack playing such important roles on the team. Larrañaga emphasized the importance of finding a power forward in the portal with the departures of Jordan Miller and Anthony Walker.

“Here’s one thing we know for sure: Jordan Miller and Anthony Walker are graduating. They play the four spot for us. That’s over 40 minutes of playing time available at the four position,” Larrañaga said. “Without naming any names, our coaches have to be very active in the portal of looking for a four-man.”

Dayton transfer Mustapha Amzil is a forward in the portal that Miami has already reached out to, he confirmed with LifeWallet Sports. Amzil has already taken visits to Memphis, New Mexico and South Carolina. The 6-foot-9 rising junior played both small forward and power forward for the Flyers last season, averaging 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Amzil also told LifeWallet Sports that he has a Zoom meeting with Miami on Monday night

Miami might also have a need to fill at guard, depending on Isaiah Wong’s decision to either forego his remaining eligibility to play professionally or return to UM for a fifth season. Wong declared for the NBA Draft during the prior two offseasons but elected to remain in college in both previous instances.

“I think for Isaiah and any other player, they have to do what is best for them. And in this world, we have the transfer portal, we have NIL, we have all kinds of circumstances that players have to evaluate,” Larrañaga said. “Isaiah’s dream is to play in the NBA … I don’t think he knows quite yet what the ultimate decision will be. Of course, we’d love to have him back because he’s just a terrific player and I love coaching him.”

The Hurricanes will welcome at least one newcomer next season in class of 2023 center Michael Nwoko. The Prolific Prep (Calif.) product impressed recently at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds for Team World in what was a battle of some of the best players in high school basketball.

“Michael Nwoko is 6’10”, 240 pounds so from a physical standpoint, he’s very physically mature,” Larrañaga said. “He’s got a great body, and he’s competed at a high level.”

Added Larrañaga about Nwoko’s performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, “I like it. I like anybody that can go 7-for-10 [from the field] in any game.”

Larrañaga also indicated that the high school recruitment period extends from April through November, as the head coach and his staff will get the chance to watch and evaluate potential recruits play on their respective AAU teams.