MIAMI, Fla. – Jai Lucas transformed the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program with key transfer portal additions – Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau, and Ernest Udeh Jr. Despite all departing to chase NBA dreams, they became a vocal point of a newly established foundation. The same formula was followed ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Hurricanes added seven portal players, the latest being junior combo guard L.J. Cason. He’s from Lakeland and returns to the Sunshine State following two seasons at Michigan.
Cason averaged 8.4 points on 50.3 percent shooting, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last year. Despite the new career highs, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury in late February. While the 20-year-old continues to recover, college basketball insider Jon Rothstein reports that he will sit out the entire upcoming season. Cason has redshirted to preserve two years of NCAA eligibility.
The Hurricanes aren’t without backcourt depth. Among the transfers this summer are Acaden Lewis, Brent Bland, Quin Berger, Nick Dorn, plus returning sophomore Dante Allen. Cason doesn’t have any pressure to return immediately once cleared. He’s already undergone a successful surgery.
Cason is primarily a scorer rather than a facilitator. He can play on and off the ball – improved as an efficient shooter on all three levels last season. Cason shot 60.8 percent on two-pointers and 40.2 percent from behind the arc.
Sitting back allows the transfer guard to learn Lucas’ coaching style and system. He puts defense at the top of the priority list and wants to play a fast-paced offense. Lucas isn’t reliant on outside shooting, but it’s an area for improvement from last season.
In college basketball, every player is virtually a free agent. They can decide to explore the transfer portal or declare for the NBA Draft. However, Cason will very likely return to college basketball for the 2027-28 season and wear “The U” uniform.
Coming off a historic 26-9 turnaround season, the Hurricanes are chasing hardware. Despite not being able to play, Cason – who understands what it takes to win a National Championship – can pass the inside knowledge to the rest of the roster.
The Victory Christian Academy graduate has never started in a collegiate game. He provides a scoring punch off the bench. However, a starting role could emerge for him on the Hurricanes ahead of the 2027-28 season.
A new chapter will soon begin for Cason, but the on-court part is on hold until further notice.
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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