Five-Star Guard Jalil Bethea Commits to Miami

Miami’s hot streak on the recruiting trail continued Wednesday afternoon as consensus-rated five-star shooting guard Jalil Bethea committed to Jim Larrañaga and the Hurricanes.

Bethea announced his decision on 247Sports’ YouTube livestream. Other finalists for the Archbishop Wood (Pa.) product included home-state school Villanova as well as Kansas.

Miami’s prolonged pursuit of Bethea was first reported in July 2022 by Andrew Slater, who noted that UM was among the schools showing interest in the 6-foot-4 prospect. The Hurricanes offered Bethea a scholarship in September and were a contender throughout the remainder of his recruitment.

Bethea made an official visit to Miami on Sept. 8 and watched UM football take on Texas A&M the following day. After this trip to Coral Gables, Bethea canceled his remaining visits to Alabama and Syracuse. He also visited Villanova on Aug. 25 and Kansas on Aug. 31, as well as Temple back in September 2022.

Bethea is the first industry-rated top-10 player to commit to Miami in program history. He joins guard Austin Swartz and forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu as the third pledge in UM’s 2024 recruiting class.

Scouting Report:

Bethea is one of the top scoring guards in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He averaged 18.6 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 43% from deep this EYBL circuit season with Team Final. He can shoot in spot-up situations and on the move. Bethea has the ability to shoot off the dribble from both behind the arc and in the mid-range. He doesn’t have an elite handle but can create more than enough space with his dribble to get his shot off. Bethea’s not an especially explosive driver but is confident driving downhill and can finish through contact with either hand. He plays with pace and has a great feel for the game. Bethea should flash more as a pick-and-roll ball handler with more reps at the collegiate level. He’s a tenacious dunker and a lob threat in transition. Defensively, Bethea has a high ceiling because of his wingspan. Bethea has the tools to be a future lottery pick in the NBA Draft.