Miami Just Stayed In The Hunt For A Guard Fans Need To Watch

Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes have emerged as strong contenders for Justin Wise, a top-ranked shooting guard from Georgia.

Miami is still in the hunt for one of the top guards in the 2027 class.

Four-star shooting guard Justin Wise announced Saturday that his list is down to six schools, with the Hurricanes joining Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Clemson. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound wing from North Oconee High School in Bogart, Georgia, is rated the No. 63 overall prospect in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite, along with the No. 5 shooting guard nationally and the No. 8 player in Georgia.

Wise has already taken an official visit to Georgia and has also been to Texas. Given how close North Oconee is to Athens - roughly 12 miles from Georgia’s campus - the Bulldogs are currently the favorite in On3’s Prediction Machine.

On the floor, Wise has backed up the buzz. As a sophomore, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game, helping lead North Oconee to a state championship and the first of back-to-back Region Player of the Year honors. He’s already a two-time Georgia state champion and a region Player of the Year at the high school level.

Wise also brings a polished club résumé with Jet Academy on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he’s developed a reputation as an efficient combo guard. He can stretch defenses from deep - he’s hit right around 36% of his threes this year - while also creating for teammates.

Miami’s case gets a little more interesting because of the family tie. Wise’s uncle, Torey McCormick, played guard for the Hurricanes from 1993 to 1997 under longtime coach Leonard Hamilton, who went on to build a long career at Florida State afterward.

McCormick made an early impact as a true freshman in 1993-94, leading the team in minutes, assists and steals while starting 16 of Miami’s 27 games that season. That connection could matter as Wise’s recruitment moves forward.

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