TOP of the Boards…’26 Basketball Recruiting

Miami is ushering in a new era of Hurricane basketball this upcoming season. The Canes have a completely new roster led by first-year head coach Jai Lucas.

With thirteen players on the 2025-26 roster, three (PG Tre Donaldson, PF Malik Reneau, C Ernest Udeh Jr.) will exhaust their eligibility at the end of this upcoming season. This means Miami will sign three new players from the 2026 recruiting class or the Transfer Portal.

To date, Miami has offered scholarships to 12 members of the 2026 recruiting class. The Canes are also evaluating another dozen 2026 prospects.

Here are the rising 2026 targets currently at the top of Miami’s board.

Point Guard:

Miami will need to replace Tre Donaldson at point. Miami will return Jordyn Kee and John Laboy II. Look for the Canes to sign one point guard this cycle.

Taylen Kinney

Hometown:  Atlanta, GA      School: Overtime Elite

HT: 6'-1" | WT: 185 | Offers: 27 | Rating: 99  | Position Rank: 1 |Overall Rank: 16 Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Miami, Arkansas, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Purdue, Louisville, Alabama, Auburn, Xavier

SUMMARY: Highest-rated point guard in the 2026 class.  An electric scoring threat at all three levels. "Kinney is a scoring and playmaking lead guard who is smooth and versatile with his attack. He’s a three-range scoring threat.”

Deron Rippey Jr.

Hometown: Blairstown, NJ    School: Blair Academy

HT: 6'-2"    |   WT:  175    |   Offers: 44  |  Rating: 99   |   Position Rank: 2  |  Overall Rank: 17

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Miami, Tenn, Indiana, Syracuse, Texas, UNC, Alabama, KY, Duke, Kansas, Louisville, NC State

SUMMARY:  Elite athleticism to make momentum changing plays. A two-way guard, who impacts the game as much on the defensive end as he does the offensive end. Brings an explosive skillset.

Power Forward:

Miami will need to replace Malik Reneau at power forward. Look for the Canes to sign one power forward.

Caleb Gaskins

Hometown: Miami, FL      School:  Columbus                      

HT: 6'-8"    |   WT: 210    |   Offers: 14      Rating: 99    |   Position Rank: 4  |  Overall Rank: 13

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: TBD

SUMMARY: Elite local prospect who sits high on Miami’s board.

Latrell Allmond

Hometown:  Richmond, VA                          School: Petersburg

HT: 6'-8" | WT: 225 | Offers: 20 | Rating: 98 | Position Rank: 6 |  Overall Rank: 31

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Indiana

SUMMARY: A strong scorer and rebounder, affecting the game on the defensive end. At NBPA Top 100 Camp, averaged 18.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, shooting 55 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-pt. range.

Center:

Miami will need to replace Ernest Udeh Jr. at center. Look for the Canes to sign one center or large power forward

Arafan Diane

Hometown:  Norwalk, IA                          School: Iowa United Prep

HT: 7'-1" | WT: 260 | Offers: 23  | Rating: 97 |  Position Rank: 9  | Overall Rank: 80

Status:  UNCOMMITTED |  Top Tier: TBD

SUMMARY: Originally from Guinea in West Africa. He also played in Canada.

Small Forward:

Miami will return Shelton Henderson and Timotej Malovec at small forward. However, the Canes are somewhat this at this position and may elect to stack an available site talent.

Alex Constanza

Hometown: Miami, FL        School:  Westminster Academy  

 HT: 6'-8" | WT: 205 | Offers: 13 | Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 6 | Overall Rank: 19

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: TBD

SUMMARY: Elite local prospect who sits at the top of Miami’s board. He can be a match up nightmare. While current listed as a small forward, Alex is big and strong with the potential to play both the three and four as he physically matures.Competition: Illinois, Syracuse at this time.

Jaxon Richardson

Hometown:  Miami, FL            School:   Columbus                    

HT: 6'-6" | WT:  200  | Offers: 21 |  Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 8 |Overall Rank: 21

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Alabama,

SUMMARY: Elite local 5-star prospect

Bryson Howard

Hometown:  Frisco, TX               School: Heritage     

HT: 6'-5" | WT: 200 | Offers: 24 | Rating: 98 | Position Rank: 11 | Overall Rank: 26

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Tenn., UConn, Kentucky, Houston, Duke, Texas, UNC, Tex. A&M

SUMMARY: Dynamic and versatile small forward.  Can play at guard or forward. Scores from all three levels. Son of former NBA veteran Josh Howard

Kevin Thomas

Hometown: Montverde, FL School: Montverde Acdemy

HT: 6‘- 7“ | WT: 190 | Offers: 10 | Rating: 97 | Pos. Rank: 31 | Overall Rank: 74

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Auburn, Miami, FSU, Geo. Tech

Summary: Planning to take his time in making this decision. It may stretch beyond the fall.

Gage Mayfield

Hometown: Moundville, AL School: Hale County

HT: 6‘-7“ | WT: 190 | Offers: 14 | Rating: 97 | Pos. Rank: 28 | Overall Rank: 68

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Michigan, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, FSU, Tennessee

Summary: Has five OVs in fall

Scoring Guard:

Miami will return Tru Washington, Dante Allen and Marcus Allen at shooting/combo guard. While unlikely, Miami may elect to add another elite shooter.

Austin Goosby

Hometown:  Melissa, TX                        School:  Melissa             

HT: 6'-5" | WT: 190 | Offers:14  | Rating: 98 | Position Rank: 6 |  Overall Rank: 27

Status:  UNCOMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Texas

SUMMARY: ———

BOTTOM LINE:

We expect our board will change due to prospect preference, commitments and perhaps transfers. However, coach Lucas and his staff are head of the curve in player evaluation and scholarship offers. The recruiting cycle is in full swing.

GO CANES!