When Miami guard Jalil Bethea announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal last week, it was made clear he would keep a return to the Hurricanes as an option.
Although the former four-star prospect had an up-and-down freshman season in Coral Gables, new head coach Jai Lucas appears to be making it a priority to get a second year out of the 6’5 guard from Philadelphia.
College basketball writer Adam Zagoria reported on Wednesday that Miami is among 10 teams that have reached out to the former All-American since he entered the portal, alongside Alabama, Florida, Kansas, NC State, Memphis, Ohio State, Seton Hall, Saint Joe’s, and VCU.
Lucas was hired and started at Miami back on March 8 – leaving his associate head coaching job at Duke before the Blue Devils started the NCAA Tournament, where they are now in the Elite Eight.
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By starting early, Lucas had two weeks before the transfer portal window opened, and he is banking on those two weeks – plus however long Bethea stays in the portal – is long enough to convince him to stay.
Bethea originally chose Miami over Villanova and Kansas, and also gave consideration to Alabama and Syracuse.
However, Bethea only averaged 7.1 points on 36.8% shooting, including 32.6% from three. He had a few nice moments, like a 21 point outburst against Syracuse, but overall it was a tough campaign.
The list of schools showing interest is proof a lot of coaches believe they can unleash his high potential as a shotmaker in his second season, although this much demand probably comes at a significant price.
Related: Former McDonald’s All-American Guard to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal
