Head coach Jim Larrañaga has announced the signing of James Kelly and Manu LeComte to National Letters of Intent and Angel Rodriguez to a financial aid agreement to play men’s basketball for the University of Miami. The trio will join the UM class of 2013 along with early signing period commitments Deandre Burnett and Davon Reed and UM dual-sport athletes Corn Elder and Derrick Griffin.
“Our recruiting class in the spring has added a lot of versatility and much-needed skills to our program,” Larrañaga said. “We have graduated five outstanding seniors and lost Shane Larkin to the NBA Draft, so we have a lot of holes to fill.”
James Kelly, a 6-8, 240-pound JUCO power forward, played in the NJCAA Division II tournament semifinals with Owens Community College (Toledo, Ohio) this season. He shot 52.2 percent from the field and averaged 18.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during his senior campaign and led the conference in scoring (21.1 ppg) and rebounding (11.4 rpg). In two seasons at Owens, Kelly averaged 17.9 points and 10.0 rebounds. He became the first player in program history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 100 steals and 100 blocks in his career. He also added 70 career assists. Kelly, who is from Ann Arbor, Mich., attended Pioneer High School, where he averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 assist per game. Kelly was also recruited by Michigan State, New Mexico, West Virginia and Clemson.
“James Kelly will be a vital part of the team this season because he provides us a power forward/small forward who can contribute both inside and outside,” Larrañaga said. “He’s 6-7, 245 pounds and he’s big enough to battle the bigger teams in the ACC, but also quick enough to guard smaller players on the perimeter.”
Emmanuel “Manu” LeComte, a 5-9 point guard from Belgium, is currently playing for Dexia Mons-Hainaut in Mons, Wallonia (Belgium), where he has averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. A true point guard who can also shoot the three or pull up for jumpers, the freshman will bring international basketball experience to the Canes. At just 17 years old, LeComte has competed in Belgium’s U16, U18 and U20 championships, most recently playing in the U18 European Championship, where he led his country in scoring with 12.0 ppg and 2.9 assists in eight outings. LeComte turned down offers from Gonzaga, Creighton and UAB to attend The U.
“Manu LeComte is a true point guard with outstanding ball skills and shooting ability,” Larrañaga said. “We love his speed, quickness and ability to create for other players.”
Angel Rodriguez, a 5-11, 180-pound point guard, returns home to Miami after two seasons at Kansas State University. A native of San Juan, P.R., Rodriguez played prep basketball at local Miami Krop High School, where he was named the 2009-10 Class 6A Player of the Year as well as first-team all-state. In two seasons with the K-State Wildcats, Rodriguez averaged 9.8 points, 4.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in his 65 total games. Last season as a sophomore at Kansas State, Rodriguez helped the Wildcats to the Big 12 Championship, a 27-8 record and an appearance in the NCAA tournament. He started 33 games averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Rodriguez signed his financial aid agreement on May 1, and is seeking an NCAA waiver for permission to play in the 2013-2014 season.
“Angel Rodriguez is a point guard with outstanding college credentials,” Larrañaga said. “He was an all-conference player in the Big 12 and he was on the all-defensive team in the Big 12. He’s a great replacement for Shane Larkin.”
Despite being on football scholarships with the Canes, Cornelius Elder and Derrick Griffin will both play basketball for UM after football season is complete.
Cornelius Elder is a 5-11, 165-pound point guard from Ensworth High in Nashville, Tenn. Elder averaged 20.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.2 steals in his senior season, and ended his high school tenure with a career-high 41 points in the DII-AA finals game. He scored 1,521 career points and led the Tigers to a 97-20 record in his prep years. Elder was named both the 2013 boys basketball and football player of the year by The Tennessean and was the state tournament MVP three-straight years.
“Corn Edler is truly one of the great student-athletes in the country,” Larrañaga said. “He was the player of the year for both football and basketball in the state of Tennessee. He has remarkable speed and quickness and competitive spirit. We’ll look forward to when he can join our basketball program after the football season."
Derrick Griffin, from Rosenberg, Texas, is a 6-7, 217-pound dual-sport athlete who played forward and wide receiver in high school. Griffin averaged 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.8 assists per game his senior campaign for Texas 4A state champion B.F. Terry High School. He is a 4-star basketball recruit rated the No. 26 small forward by ESPN, No. 74 nationally by Scout.com and No. 81 by Rivals.com.
“We watched Derrick Griffin play and would have loved to recruit him for our basketball program because he is one of the great athletes in the nation,” Larrañaga said. “At 6-7, 220-pounds, he can do everything that DeQuan Jones did for us two years ago. He’s strong, he’s fast, and he can jump out of the gym.”
Guards Deandre Burnett (6-1, 190) and Davon Reed (6-6, 195) committed to the Canes during the
early signing period. Burnett, a Parade All-American, averaged 36.2 points, six
rebounds and four assists per game as a senior at Carol City High School in
Miami Gardens, Fla. Reed, a 4-star recruit who averaged 27.0 points and 9.0
rebounds at Princeton Day School (N.J.), was ranked No. 77 in the class of 2013
by ESPN and No. 104 by Rivals.com.
Trivia question. The last Tampa Catholic player to play for the U was?
Posted by: Old Skool | May 17, 2013 at 09:50 AM
MUST READ...
http://canesinsight.com/content/1729-JUCO-DT-Campbell-has-a-story-to-tell?
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 09:16 AM
---------------------------------------
"I asked Campbell if he preferred playing end or tackle, and this was his response.
“Honestly, if I go to Miami I’ll play freakin’ on the bench. I’ll go out there and hand out water bottles and towels if they want me to. It’s just having the opportunity to play football that I want.”"
Now THAT is the kind of kid you root for. I don't care if he comes to Miami or not, I hope all his dreams come true.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 09:58 AM
Skool..was it McCarthy?
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Hey penguin fans.... My Bruins are comin for ya!!!!!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane | May 16, 2013 at 10:51 PM
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WE READY!!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 10:03 AM
The Miami Hurricanes clinched a berth in the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Thursday night, earning one of eight coveted trips to Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a 8-3 win over Georgia Tech in game one of the final regular season series for both teams.
Miami (34-20, 13-15 ACC), entering the weekend set in need of just one win to guarantee a spot in the eight-team field, had not missed the ACC Championship since joining the conference in 2004. Before a crowd of 2,487 at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, the Hurricanes ensured their ninth consecutive appearance with a commanding win over the visiting Yellow Jackets.
Inserted onto the mound due to a late injury suffered by Saturday starter Andrew Suarez, senior righthander Eric Whaley performed admirably in his first start since March 19. The Pompano Beach, Fla., native, boosted by an early surge from the team's offense, scattered just two hits in five shutout innings. The outing, which included one strikeout and one walk, matched his longest stint of the season.
Thursday's original projected starter, sophomore southpaw Chris Diaz, will take the mound Friday night against Jackets' righthander Dusty Isaacs.
The Hurricane offense struck early off Georgia Tech ace Buck Farmer (8-4), tagging the senior for five runs on five hits in the game's first three innings.
With junior Alex Hernandez (single) and senior Chantz Mack (walk) on base, freshman slugger David Thompson cracked a double into leftfield to open the game's scoring. The Miami, Fla., native, who led the team with five hits last weekend against Wake Forest, roped an 0-1 offering from Farmer corralled well by Kyle Wren in left.
With the hit, Thompson reached base for the 20th consecutive game, the longest stretch of any Hurricane this season. Hernandez extended his personal hitting streak to seven games with the single.
Junior first baseman Brad Fieger would add a sacrifice fly, as Miami took a 2-0 lead into the second.
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 10:04 AM
UMike...I know so far that Terrance, OGV, OcalaCane, Keoki, RaizeCane, RoachCane, AnthonyMathis and the guy who posts on here as 86Cane will all be at the Florida game.
I am working on the hotel arrangments and will let U know something next week for sure.
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Harry Miller...sorry I missed your calls yesterday. I will call U later this PM since I know U work on Cali time.
OGV...thanks for digging out the comments from the spam monster yesterday. U and Ohio are both BOSS!
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 10:10 AM
SOUP..sounds good..I probably wont need a room, but would like to come hang out with the crew
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Umike, I'll be at the game with a few of us CANE fans from Rhode Island....
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | May 17, 2013 at 10:22 AM
The BUC follows Canespace on twitter.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 10:28 AM
UpNorth..Sweet!! Ima try to get some tailgating in with all the Spacers
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 10:29 AM
MUST READ...
http://canesinsight.com/content/1729-JUCO-DT-Campbell-has-a-story-to-tell?
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 09:16 AM
-----------------------------------------
RE: This ^^^
Pete Ariz: Doesn't look like the staff will pursue any further than what happened yesterday.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds 11m
Know how I know that Miami football is recruiting well? Because a lot of people are complaining. It's a never-fails barometer.
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 10:53 AM
UMike
McCarthy was Clearwater Catholic or Clearwater Central Catholic. Kenny Kelly was Tampa Catholic.
Posted by: Old Skool | May 17, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Is it me..or does Joe Garcia like to argue on Twitter a lot lol
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 11:22 AM
215
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Kenny Kadji #1 in Max vertical jump (38"). #4 in shuttle
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 11:45 AM
^^^ For PF and C's obviously
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 11:46 AM
@chadfordinsider: Kenny Kadji with a surprising 38" max vert and a 34" standing vert. Very surprising.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 11:54 AM
This Date in Hurricanes History...May 17th, 1985...Brought to you by the UM Sport Hall of Fame!
UMSHoF member Mike Fiore set a school record with 9 consecutive hits...a streak dating back to May 12th! Fiore started the streak in the 2nd game of a doubleheader on May 12 against UCF, and ended it against South Florida on May 17.
In the UCF game, Mike set a school record with 6 hits in a game, going 6 for 6 with 4 runs scored and sevens runs batted in in the Canes 28-5 romp over the Knights. He then started the May 17th game against the Bulls with 3 hits...running the streak
to 9 consecutive hits !
The 1985 National Champions won the game 9-0.
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Yep. Kenny Kelly.
Posted by: Clwtrdan | May 17, 2013 at 12:55 PM
UpNorth..Sweet!! Ima try to get some tailgating in with all the Spacers
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 10:29 AM
*****************************************
It would be nice if we could all be close. After I had a few, traveling to other locations because an "event" :-)
Posted by: raizecane | May 17, 2013 at 01:02 PM
UpNorth..Sweet!! Ima try to get some tailgating in with all the Spacers
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 10:29 AM
*****************************************
It would be nice if we could all be close. After I had a few, traveling to other locations because an "event" :-)
Posted by: raizecane | May 17, 2013 at 01:02 PM
« Previous
lol Raize..I dont drink so I dont have that particular problem lol
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 01:21 PM
Soup, I work from home. Call anytime you want. I will on the golf course from 4:00 to 9:00 pm your time today.
Posted by: Harry Miller | May 17, 2013 at 01:33 PM
You guys beat me to it- Kenny Kelly.
Posted by: j.w. | May 17, 2013 at 01:38 PM
I sure would like to come down for the Florida gayturds game, but won,t know until a couple weeks before the game. Will ticket still be easy to get at last minute?
Posted by: Harry Miller | May 17, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Yes sir it's going down on September 7th at Sun Life against the Crocs. Man August 30th cant get here fast enough for the home opener against FAU on Friday night. Go Canes.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | May 17, 2013 at 01:49 PM
Go Shane Larkin!!
Chad Ford @chadfordinsider 4m
Shane Larkin. 34.5" standing vert. 44" max vert. Second biggest max vert we've had at combine ever. Kenny Gregory 45.5" in 2001
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 02:11 PM
I sure would like to come down for the Florida gayturds game, but won,t know until a couple weeks before the game. Will ticket still be easy to get at last minute?
Posted by: Harry Miller | May 17, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Im sure there will be some available. if not through UM, definitely on Stub Hub or places like it.
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 02:12 PM
Will ticket still be easy to get at last minute?
Posted by: Harry Miller | May 17, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Last minute will be Stub Hub or at the game but it will cost you more $$$. IF U can decide sooner rather than later I can hook U up but I need to know by next week.
Posted by: 86Cane | May 17, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Per Twitter:
Shane Larkin just unofficially jumped a 44.0" max vertical. Best today, 2nd highest of anyone cince 2000!!
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 02:29 PM
I'll be down with my dad and the great Greg Cox for the game against Florida!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | May 17, 2013 at 02:31 PM
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 02:11 PM
Per Twitter:
Shane Larkin just unofficially jumped a 44.0" max vertical. Best today, 2nd highest of anyone cince 2000!!
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 02:29 PM
My bad O_C, should've scrolled up LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 02:32 PM
My bad O_C, should've scrolled up LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 02:32 PM
-------------------------------------
Lol, it's all good bro. Doesn't bother me a bit
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Dont worry CaneRock..me and Ohio do that to each other all the time lol
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 02:47 PM
Per Killa at CIS & Gayturdbait..
Khairi Clark update
From gaytorbait
-2 UFag corches visited him this week
-Miami, UFag, Arkansas, UNC, and Nebraska have all sent corches to visit him recently
-Dorito and Jethro have been by and will go back for his scrimmage on the 23rd
-Will camp at UGay and Clemple this summer with possible return trips to Miami and UFag
-Will commit in January of 2014 at the Army game
-His mom told him do what's best for him, go to a school he can enjoy, do hard work and get an education
-UFag porsters feel it is a Miami and UFag battle
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 02:50 PM
Juco LB Antonio Smothers offered
From ITU
-On the same team as DT Calvin Heurtelou, who also has an offer from the Canes
-Originally from Gary, IN
-ACT wasnt high enough out of HS, started out at AZ Western juco
-Transferred to Scotsdale CC cause they needed a LB and he wasnt playing at AZ Western
-Compares himself to Arthur Brown
-Plays OLB, MIKE in dime packages, can play DE too
-Hasnt visited any schools yet
-Has offers from K St., Miami, Cincy, and Memphis
-USC has been talking to him
-Wants to visit most of the these schools this summer since he's on pace to graduate early
-Jethro came out to see his roommate Heurtelou and ended up offering both
-Likes the Miami tradition
-Smothers and Heurtelou arent a package deal, but going to the same school would be nice
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 02:51 PM
kenneth kadji @kadji35 20m
Shane Larkin is the best athlete in the draft. It's official
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 02:59 PM
I'll be down with my dad and the great Greg Cox for the game against Florida!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | May 17, 2013 at 02:31 PM
Ruh-rhoo...that sounds like T-R-O-U-B-L-E!
Posted by: 86Cane | May 17, 2013 at 03:22 PM
I used to think Larkin reminded me of Tony Parker. But watching Him some more, He actually reminds me of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, formerly known as Chris Jackson at LSU.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 03:39 PM
Tito Benach @TitoBenachCIS 1m
Just spoke with Arrion Springs, while he did change Texas to his #2 schools. He maintains that Miami is not out of it
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 04:06 PM
Tito Benach @TitoBenachCIS 1m
Just spoke with Arrion Springs, while he did change Texas to his #2 schools. He maintains that Miami is not out of it
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 04:06 PM
But it was fun while it lasted lol
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 04:15 PM
But it was fun while it lasted lol
Posted by: UMike | May 17, 2013 at 04:15 PM
------------------------------------------
It's May. That is all. Lol
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 17, 2013 at 04:30 PM
Soup you have mail
Posted by: Hassan | May 17, 2013 at 05:16 PM
Exterior look at our beautiful new Schwartz Center. #BuildingChampions
https://vine.co/v/bEtMIeDz7P1
Posted by: CaneRock | May 17, 2013 at 06:33 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: SOUP | May 17, 2013 at 08:47 PM