Jim Larranaga has elevated Miami’s place in the college basketball world since arriving in Coral Gables in 2011. First came the on-court success — an average of nearly 24 wins over his first five seasons, as well as two Sweet 16 appearances. Now, those results are paying off on the recruiting trail.
Five-star phenom Lonnie Walker is poised to become the crown jewel of Larranaga’s 2017 recruiting class. The 6-5 shooting guard announced his pledge to the Hurricanes on Wednesday:
I'm officially a Cane 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/raBHqUndwF
— G.C.M (@lonniewalker_4) November 16, 2016
Walker joins a 2017 commitment list that also includes consensus 4-star prospects in point guard Chris Lykes and center Deng Gak. The Canes will also welcome power forward Sam Waardenburg in the class.
Miami’s 2017 class ranks No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the ACC (behind Louisville) in 247Sports’ composite rankings.