Miami Basketball: Five things to look forward to heading into 2017-18

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) works around Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 6

Mar 26, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All-American forward Lonnie Walker IV (14) poses for a photo during the 2017 McDonalds All American Game Portrait Day at Chicago Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

3. A highly touted recruiting class

The hype surrounding Miami is not just about their returning players, it’s also about their loaded recruiting class.

Last year, the Hurricanes hit the jackpot with combo guard Bruce Brown and to a lesser extent, Dejan Vasiljevic, but this year’s class will likely be deeper and make more of an instant impact as a whole.

The Hurricanes have one five-star talent, shooting guard Lonnie Walker, and two four-star prospects, point guard Chris Lykes and big man Deng Gak. All three are ranked in ESPN’s top 100 with Walker grading out as the highest of the three (18th overall).

Each of Miami’s top three recruits also brings a unique skill set to the table: Walker is an excellent athlete who can attack the rim and knock down shots, Lykes has the toughness and quickness to penetrate in the lane and also the range to drill threes, and Gak is athletic, mobile and quick when running the floor.

These three ESPN top 100 talents are going to make an immediate impact for the Hurricanes, but even Miami’s fourth recruit, Samuel Waardenburg from New Zealand, can have a role as a stretch four off the bench.

This class gives Miami shot making, athleticism, youth and burgeoning talent. That’s only going to make Jim Larranaga’s job that much easier.

Home/Miami Hurricanes