Caleb Gaskins Earns McDonald’s All-American Nod, Injects Star Power into Miami’s Promising Rebuild
There’s a new name joining the Miami Hurricanes' elite basketball lineage - and it’s one fans should get familiar with quickly. Caleb Gaskins, a versatile 6’8” forward out of Columbus High School, has officially been named a McDonald’s All-American, becoming just the seventh player in Miami program history to earn the honor.
For a team still finding its footing under head coach Jai Lucas, the timing couldn’t be better.
Gaskins’ selection puts him in rare company, joining the likes of Alfredo “Tito” Horford (1985), Steve Edwards (1992), Darius Rice (2000), Dewan Hernandez (2016), Lonnie Walker IV (2017), and Jalil Bethea (2024). That’s not just a list - it’s a timeline of high-level talent that’s helped shape the Hurricanes’ basketball identity. Now, Gaskins is poised to add his own chapter.
The Melbourne, Florida native averaged 13.6 points on 54% shooting, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 31 games in his junior season. He also showed flashes of perimeter range, hitting 33% from beyond the arc - a promising sign for a player with his size (219 pounds) and a 7’1” wingspan.
That kind of length and skill combo is hard to come by, and it’s easy to see why Gaskins drew interest from several Power Four programs, including Florida, Texas A&M, and Georgia before committing to Miami on October 30, 2025. He made it official with a letter of intent on November 19.
His commitment is more than just a recruiting win - it’s a foundational piece for Lucas’ rebuild, which is already showing signs of life. The Hurricanes are 17-5 overall and 6-3 in ACC play, tied for fifth in the conference standings.
That puts them in the thick of the March Madness conversation, but the resume still needs bolstering. A narrow 86-85 loss to Cal over the weekend - a game marred by missed free throws down the stretch - was a reminder that this team is still learning how to close.
The good news? There are still plenty of opportunities to make a statement.
Miami has three ranked matchups left on the schedule: No. 14 North Carolina on February 10, No.
18 Virginia Tech on February 21, and No. 24 Louisville on March 7.
Win one - or more - of those, and the Hurricanes could be dancing in March.
But while the current squad focuses on the now, the future continues to take shape. Lucas has made it clear that his rebuild will be rooted in Florida talent, and Gaskins fits that blueprint perfectly. With veterans like Malik Reneau, Ernest Udeh Jr., and Tre Donaldson set to move on after this season due to eligibility limits, Gaskins will have a real shot to earn early minutes - and possibly a starting role - when he arrives on campus.
Before that, though, he’ll showcase his game on a national stage. The McDonald’s All-American Game tips off on Tuesday, March 31 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, airing on ESPN at 9 p.m.
ET. He’ll represent not just Miami, but the state of Florida - and a program that’s building something compelling.
For the Hurricanes, the road back to national relevance is still under construction. But with Caleb Gaskins in the fold, the foundation just got a whole lot stronger.