Big man signs with Miami Hurricanes on Wed. afternoon: "It feels great, I can't compare"
It was on Oct. 6 that center Michael Nwoko announced his Miami Hurricanes commitment, choosing UM over Providence, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, and Northwestern.
Today?
He made it official
“I just signed,” Nwoko told CaneSport at 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. “It feels great, can’t compare.”
Nwoko is ranked the No. 131 consensus prospect in the nation and the No. 13 center.
He says that Miami “just felt like home.”
“Coach L, Hall of Fame coach. I know I can go there and contribute from Day 1,” he said. “Miami showed they have everything I need. And I expect to play right away. They said I can come in and contribute.”
Nwoko first caught Miami’s attention back in July, when he was offered.
He didn’t take your standard recruiting route as a top AAU player who was getting offers for years. In fact, he had no offers until his junior summer when he starred for FIBA U18 Team Canada, averaging 13 points and nine rebounds.
“I didn’t get recognition till my junior year, it was a little all over the place,” Nwoko said. “My freshman year I was hurt (missed season with leg injury), sophomore year was a COVID year so my junior year was my first year playing in high school.”
Nwoko has heard comparisons in his play style to the NBA’s Clint Capela and Day’Ron Sharpe.
“I try to be an offensive and defensive threat, a big energy guy,” Nwoko says.
Nwoko’s message for Miami fans?
“Let’s win this National Championship!,” he says.
Coach Jim Larranaga said of the addition that “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the Miami basketball program. He is a versatile big with great size, athletic ability, low-post scoring skill and a knack for rebounding the ball,” Larrañaga said. “Michael comes from winning high school and AAU programs. He has been coached and mentored well, and is on an upward trajectory. He continues to get better and is a terrific fit for our program. We are eager to welcome Michael and his family to The U.”
CaneSport also got feedback from Nwoko’s high school coach, Ryan Bernardi.
“His biggest strength is his power, his physicality, his athleticism which lends itself to being a 5,” Bernardi said. “As he continues to work at it, continues to get more reps and comfortable I can see a scenario where he’s able to do stuff a 4 can do, also.
“He catches everything, shoots a good percentage, is a good free throw shooter and can guard and switch on multiple positions.”
Nwoko’s On3 scouting report, courtesy of National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw: “Mike Nwoko is a big and strong post presence. Listed at 6-foot-10 he does the dirty work, the stuff many guys don’t like doing but help win games. Nwoko is a good in his area rebounder. He is a tough post defender with good footwork and strength. Nwoko has touch on his free throws which leads to believe he could develop into a reliable pick and pop type shooter, in time. Nwoko is a good screener and plays best, currently, out of the dinner spot. He knows who he is and plays within his means.”
