In an electrifying move, Miami’s new head coach Jai Lucas opened up about his strategy to keep top local talent in the 305. While Lucas made it clear he’s on a mission to dominate the recruiting scene and lock down the best players in Florida, there’s one thing he couldn’t say: a potential flip of Miami Columbus stars Cameron and Cayden Boozer.
The twin phenoms, who signed with Duke last November, are a Miami product, and with Lucas serving as their primary recruiter, the question of whether the Boozers could return home was inevitable. But, as Lucas pointed out, NCAA rules keep him from commenting directly on players committed elsewhere. Still, it’s no secret that Miami’s basketball future could have looked even brighter with the Boozers on board.
Cameron Boozer, the No. 2-ranked player and top power forward in the 2025 class, and his twin Cayden, a top-25 prospect and elite point guard, are part of a loaded Duke recruiting class that ranks No. 1 for 2025. With Miami’s recent shake-up after the retirement of legendary coach Jim Larranaga, the Hurricanes are staring down a potential roster rebuild.
Lucas, who met with his team on Sunday, acknowledged that next season’s Miami squad could be dramatically different. With every frontcourt player from the current roster graduating or moving on, Lucas emphasized that keeping Miami’s homegrown talent in the fold is paramount. “We want the best players to stay home,” Lucas declared, setting his sights on the future. He stressed that Florida’s 2026 class is stacked with incredible talent, and he’s all in on cultivating relationships with local stars, showing them the undeniable value of playing for Miami.
In the short term, Miami’s roster could see a major overhaul. With eligibility decisions looming and the transfer portal opening on March 24, Lucas plans to have candid talks with current players, with a focus on retention. Expect a flood of new faces, as Lucas stated his aim to build a roster of 13 fresh players for the 2025-26 season.
As for the Boozer twins? No word yet on their stance after Lucas’ arrival at Miami, but until they make a public statement, all signs point to them sticking with Duke. Regardless, Lucas’ mission is clear: bring Miami back to dominance by locking down the state’s finest and ushering in a new era of Hurricanes basketball.
