East Carolina transfer PF Brandon Johnson commits to Miami off multi-day visit
Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga and the Hurricanes have landed their second commitment this offseason via the transfer portal, as former East Carolina power forward Brandon Johnson has committed to Miami. He joins former 6-foot-10 Virginia Tech center Lynn Kidd as new transfer arrivals.
After naming a top six of Miami, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, NC State, and Pitt, the 6-foot-8 junior chose the Hurricanes after spending the last two days in Coral Gables.
“I really like the winning environment, the love I’ve received from the coaches, and just the resources that they have that can help me get to the next level,” Johnson told CaneSport on the first day of his visit to Miami.
As a junior this season, Johnson averaged 14 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game for the Pirates before entering his name in the transfer portal. As a sophomore in 2022–23, Johnson averaged 12.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
“It’s my last year, and I wanted to experience winning,” Johnson said, explaining why he decided to enter his name in the transfer portal. “What program can win, and what program can get me to the next level? And a new opportunity.”
Following a disappointing season in which the Hurricanes finished the year with 10 straight losses and a 15-17 overall record, Larrañaga emphasized the Hurricanes needed to add size down low.
“We need bigs, just don’t have very many big guys,” Larranaga previously said.
In recent weeks they have addressed that with Johnson now on board and the addition of Kidd, who averaged 13.2 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
“We are extremely happy to have Lynn join us because he is an incredibly gifted offensive scorer around the basket and who I considered the most improved player in the ACC this past season,” Larrañaga said. “He has put in the work to take his game to the next level. His work ethic is unmatched, and he will bring maturity and four years of ACC experience to our team.”
Before his time at East Carolina, Johnson attended Brunswick Community College for one season before signing with the Pirates. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native is currently ranked as the No. 46 overall player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings.
With returning starter Nijel Pack also coming back, a big question for UM is whether Norchad Omier, Wooga Poplar and/or Kyshawn George will also opt to return.
