Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top-40 center Isaiah Miranda top 8 teams

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins brings the ball up the court against after stealing it from Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament semifinals at T-Mobile Arena on March 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Trojans 69-59. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins brings the ball up the court against after stealing it from Max Agbonkpolo #23 of the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament semifinals at T-Mobile Arena on March 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Trojans 69-59. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Jalen Carey Rhode Island Rams (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Jalen Carey Rhode Island Rams (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Rhode Island Rams

If this was a year ago, even as the old “hometown option”, I wouldn’t have given Rhode Island much of a shot here. But the program got a big boost with the offseason hire of Archie Miller, the former Indiana head coach who went to multiple Elite 8 appearances at Dayton of the Atlantic 10. He’s landed a bunch of transfers and four commits in the 2023 class, although the one position that hasn’t been covered is center.

Miranda can come in and be the star of the Rams similar to another top-50 center prospect in Da’Ron Holmes of Dayton. It’s worked out well for him so far and it could serve as a blueprint for what Miranda could do. If playing close to home is a key selling point, Rhode Island could have a better shot here than expected.

UCLA Bruins

The Bruins projected starting center is Adem Bona, a top-20 incoming freshman prospect. His pro prospects are unknown so he could be around for 1-3 years. But the backup position is definitely available and Miranda, who would be playing in the Los Angeles area going forward.

He’d be a nice frontcourt mate with recent 6’11 forward commit Devin Williams regardless of when Bona would move on and Coach Mick Cronin would be the guy that brings out the best of Miranda defensively. UCLA is one of the most prestigious programs in NCAA Basketball and is back in the top-10 picture again. There’s plenty to like for the prospect to consider, with Bona looming large in the situation.