MIAMI, Fla. – Jai Lucas didn’t have the easiest task when taking the head coaching job of the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program. Shortly after the official hiring, the entire roster entered the transfer portal.
Coming off a 7-24 season, dramatic changes were in order.
Lucas recruited impactful veterans from the transfer portal, including seniors Ernest Udeh Jr., Malik Reneau, and Tre Donaldson. Meanwhile, on the high school recruiting trail, the first-time head coach managed to flip five-star Shelton Henderson and four-star Dante Allen to “The U.”
got our guys. time to work. pic.twitter.com/HhrIdJanzL
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) June 15, 2026
The transactions resulted in college basketball’s most historic turnaround. Coach Lucas led the team to a 26-9 record and to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Despite a remarkable season, he finished second in the ACC Coach of the Year race – 32 votes short of Duke’s Jon Scheyer. Although he led the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament and regular-season title, Lucas’ route to success went beyond the scales.
In most cases, a sports program has continuity to build around. Building a roster from scratch with no guarantees of securing top talent – one loss could result in a major collapse. Instead, Lucas found players who believed in what he had planned and made it a reality.
Donaldson, Reneau, and Udeh Jr. have become the foundation of a new chapter in program history. Henderson and Allen will be relied upon to keep the standard alive and raise it higher.
Lucas’ transfer portal success translated this offseason – landing a few top-market players in shot-blocking center Somto Cyril, playmaker Acaden Lewis, and Horizon Player of the Year DeSean Goode. He filled out the roster with veterans looking to make a significant impact, including a couple of high-school recruits and an international signee.
The Hurricanes have a roster fully capable of competing against blue-chip programs – Duke and UNC – making a statement within the conference. It’s been 13 years since the ACC crown last stood on the Coral Gables campus.
However, Lucas provides a new vision and meaning to Hurricanes basketball. Given the historic success and revamped roster, he should be among the favorites to win ACC Coach of the Year.
time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/jLMDA0dCIo
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) June 15, 2026
Football is usually the starting conversation associated with “The U” branding. However, basketball is returning to its peak. Lucas took – what appeared to be – a collapsing program and instantly brought a new structure of stability.
The next goal will be to bring back hardwood. Following a historic turnaround, Lucas might not be too far away from remarkable achievements.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: alexagmu@gmail.com | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports