Miami's Signee Named McDonald's All-American

Miami adds its first McDonald's All-American since 2017 with Lonnie Walker IV.

The Hurricanes were already adding more and more talent to the basketball roster. Current freshmen Kyshawn George and Michael Nwoko are key members of the team. George is in the starting lineup and Nwoko is a consistent part of the rotation. Next season, the Canes bring in an impact prospect to further strengthen the roster.

From the University of Miami athletics website, it was announced on Jan. 23 that Jalil Bethea, Miami's top-ranked recruit and sixth overall player in the 2024 class, earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American game. He's just the sixth Hurricane to be named a McDonald's All-American.

It's not a surprise, as Bethea's rise to the top continues as he's dominating at Warminister (Penn.) Archbishop Wood by averaging 22.3 points per game through 15 games this season.

His season so far was highlighted by a dominant 40-point performance in the Hoophall Classic where he displayed NBA-level skill.

Impressive shot-making display for Miami-commit Jalil Bethea at Hoophall Classic -- scoring 40 points showing the ability to come off screens, duck behind handoffs, rise up off jabs, side-steps, and step-backs, or hit pullups and spotups from NBA range with perfect mechanics. pic.twitter.com/xvjxaqlfEu
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 17, 2024

Bethea hasn't even enrolled at Miami yet but is already being looked at as a future first-round draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. ESPN's NBA Draft Expert Jonathan Givony recently mocked Bethea as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 Draft alongside fellow All-Americans Cooper Flagg (Duke commit) and Ace Bailey (Rutgers commit).

Unveiled the top five of my early 2025 mock draft on NBA Today with @malika_andrews. A lot will likely change in the next 18 months.

1. Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2. Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
3. Khaman Maluach (NBA Academy Africa)
4. Jalil Bethea (Miami)
5. Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid) pic.twitter.com/DN5caRbOG2
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 23, 2024

If a Canes fan wants to catch a glimpse as to what Bethea will be bringing to the Hurricanes, he plays with and against some of the top talent in the country. A person can tune into the McDonald's All-American game on April 2nd taking place in Houston, Texas. There are also two more UM recruits joining him in Coral Gables.

Alongside Bethea in Miami's 2024 recruiting class is shooting guard Austin Swartz from Concord (N.C.) Cannon School, a top-50 composite recruit, and forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, a top prospect from Minneapolis (Minn.) Totino-Grace.

There's no doubt Jim Larrañaga can't wait to get Bethea and his future teammates onto Miami's campus.

2023-24 Miami Hurricanes Basketball Schedule

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