Miami Basketball: Hurricanes may lose key contributors next year
The Miami Hurricanes have several players who could choose to turn pro this offseason; one already has done so.
Miami could be on the verge of a crisis. Not a serious crisis, mind you, but one that could alter the shape of the team in the immediate future.
After earning a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament – where they fell to Loyola-Chicago – the Hurricanes had reason to be optimistic. The program was on the rise once more and some of the best players were only underclassmen.
On Thursday, the first of those players decided to test the NBA Draft waters. Sophomore guard Bruce Brown Jr., who averaged 11.4 points per game last season, put his name in the hat. He did so without hiring an agent, though, granting hope that he’ll pull out over the next month.
To some degree, the foot injury that ended his season could serve as a blessing in disguise here. While there hasn’t been much news on the recovery front, odds are that his absence for the last third of the season hurt his draft stock.
He’s not the only potential defector, though.
Lonnie Walker IV has not decided on his future, yet. the freshman guard averaged 11.5 points per game, shooting 34.6% from three-point range. NBADraft.net lists him as a potential lottery selection in the 2018 NBA Draft.
If they both choose to depart, Miami will be losing two of their three best scorers.
There’s hope for Miami. Two of their best scorers not named Brown or Walker were also underclassmen this past year. They’re also set to add Miles Wilson, who averaged 11.5 points per game during his lone season at Mount St. Mary’s.
The return of Brown and Walker, however, could determine the difference between a good team and a great team.
Miami Hurricanes fans will be holding out for their return.