BREAKING: 5-star SF Caleb Gaskins commits to Miami Hurricanes

Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes have landed one of the top prospects in the country, as local Miami Columbus (Fla.) small forward Caleb Gaskins has committed to the Hurricanes. 

Gaskins chose Miami over finalists Ole Miss, Florida and Texas A&M. He took official visits to Miami, Florida and Texas A&M and took an additional unofficial visit with the Hurricanes in June.

“I’ll be attending the University of Miami,” Gaskins said today in announcing his decision. “I chose Miami because – I would like to mention Jai Lucas. His love for me and he recruited me as hard as he can. He definitely sold it. They have an incredible staff. This year even in their first year I’m excited.”

He adds that “I’m close to home (at UM), some feeling of comfortability there. Everyone can step outside their doorstep and watch me whenever they want.”

Gaskins, who’s rated as a five-star prospect by the Rivals Industry Rankings, is ranked as the No. 7 overall player and third-best small forward nationally, according to Rivals. He’s the first player to pledge to Miami’s 2026 recruiting class.

Once Lucas and his staff arrived in Coral Gables this offseason, they immediately identified Gaskins as one of their top priorities of this recruiting cycle. New assistant coach Andrew Moran, who previously coached Gaskins at Miami Columbus, played an instrumental part in getting the 6-foot-8, 210-pound small forward to commit to the Canes. Lucas also recruited Gaskins while he coached at Duke.

“He knows my game,” Gaskins said of Moran. “I just continue to trust in him, and he in me.”

As for what Gaskins will bring to the Miami program?

“I feel the University of Miami will be getting a hard-working young man,” Gaskins said. “My work ethic in the classroom, on the court has been strong. … I’m just ready to win, that’s it.”

Also of note: Gaskins’ brother, Class of ’29 standout Cayden, is also a touted prospect. The advice he’d give?

“For him, I’d say just focus on what he should focus on,” Gaskins said. “Keeping the main thing the main thing, and that’s hooping. Continue to get better, keep his head down and on the right path and he can do anything he puts his mind to.”

UM is involved with several other five-stars in the 2026 cycle, including top-ranked combo guard Brandon McCoy, who took an official visit to Miami in September.

Here’s our scouting report of Gaskins that we wrote in September:

Gaskins has a solid all-around skill set, and while he doesn’t project as a lead offensive engine, he has the makings of a very steady connective piece at the collegiate and eventually the professional level. At 6-foot-8, Gaskins’ frame is more filled out than the majority of other players at his height, granting him the ability to battle with larger players in the low post. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions. We truly think he has the potential to at the very least keep up with any player, regardless of position, but he’ll likely spend most of his time on defense matched up against wings. Gaskins runs the floor well on both ends, as he’s a threat for chasedown blocks on defense and above-the-rim finishes on offense. In the half court, Gaskins looks the smoothest working off the ball, finding pockets of space to flash and get into his high-finishing mid range shot. Like many other forwards at this stage of development, three-point shooting will be Gaskins’ swing skill. If he can improve from where he is now (23.3% 3FG during the EYBL regular season on nearly three attempts per game) to around the 35% from deep range on decent volume, Gaskins will be coveted as a future high-end role player come draft time.

CaneSport’s Take:

Gaskins is a prospect that this new Miami staff has coveted from the moment they stepped on campus, so landing his commitment bodes well for Lucas’ reputation as an ace recruiter.