TOP of the Board: '26 Basketball

updated: 11/13/25

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 13 members of the 2026 recruiting class. The Canes are also evaluating about another dozen 2026 prospects.

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

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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.

Deron Rippey Jr.
Hometown: Blairstown, NJ School: Blair Academy
HT: 6'-2" | WT: 175 | Offers: 44 | Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 1 | Overall Rank: 11
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.

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Combo 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 or young upside prospect. Look for the Canes to sign one combo guard this cycle.

Austin Goosby

Hometown: Melissa, TX School: Melissa

Status: UNCOMMITTED | Top Tier: Texas, Duke

SUMMARY: He has very good measurables for the backcourt. (size, long arms, 6-foot-9 wingspan, and big hands. Coach Lucas has long term relationship.

Dylan Mingo

Hometown: Glen Head, NY School: Long Island Lutheran

Status: UNCOMMITTED | Top Tier: UConn, Miami, Washington, NC State

SUMMARY: Mingo brings size and versatility, with instinctive feel for the game. A reported 6-foot-10”+ wingspan. He’s very young and raw. He’s 16-years old and won’t turn 17 until October of his senior year.

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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: 15 Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 4 | Overall Rank: 16
Status: COMMITTED | Top Tier: Miami commit
SUMMARY: Elite local prospect who sits high on Miami’s board.

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

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

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BOTTOM LINE:
We expect our board will change due to prospect preference, commitments and perhaps transfers. However, coach Lucas and his staff are ahead of the curve in player evaluation and scholarship offers. The recruiting cycle is coming down the home stretch.

Check back often for the latest information on Miami’s 2026 basketball recruiting.

GO CANES!