Jai Lucas has wasted little time putting Miami back in the mix with high-end talent, and now the Hurricanes are chasing one of the top guards in the 2027 class.
Four-star shooting guard Justin Wise is down to six schools: Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Clemson and Miami. The 6-4, 175-pound prospect from North Oconee High School in Bogard, Georgia, is ranked 54th nationally, fourth among shooting guards and seventh in Georgia for the 2027 cycle, according to 247Sports Composite.
Wise has picked up offers from Auburn, Cal, Florida State, Georgia Tech, SMU, Virginia Tech and Villanova as well, but his list is now trimmed to the six finalists. He does not have any available stats on MaxPreps.
For Miami, the pursuit fits the direction Lucas has already set since arriving in Coral Gables in March of 2025. The Hurricanes have leaned heavily on the transfer portal to build the roster, but Lucas has also shown he can land elite high school talent. He pulled five-star Shelton Henderson away from Duke and four-star Dante Allen away from Villanova, and both made an immediate impact as freshmen before returning for their sophomore seasons.
That mix of portal additions and high school upside has continued into the 2026-27 roster build. Miami has added seven transfers and two high school recruits in local five-star Caleb Gaskins and Christopher Birden Jr., both of whom could earn roles right away. The program also has a chance to keep stacking future talent beyond that group.
The Hurricanes are trying to become a more attractive destination for elite recruits like Wise, and the schedule may help. Lucas’ new roster is expected to face three SEC teams in the regular season, with a possible meeting against reigning national champion Michigan in the Las Vegas Players Era Tournament.
One important piece is still missing: Wise has not scheduled an official or unofficial visit to Coral Gables or the Watsco Center. That kind of trip could matter a lot as the recruiting race moves forward.
Miami does not yet have a verbal commit in the 2027 class, but it has already extended offers to several targets, including Fort Lauderdale five-star guard Cayden Daughtry, Bradenton five-star small forward Jordan Page and Orlando power forward CJ Rosser.
Lucas has made it clear he has a sense for the kind of player who fits Miami’s standard and culture, and he’s also been clear about where he wants to build that foundation. The Hurricanes have started to matter again in the basketball conversation. The next step is turning that relevance into trophies.
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