Former Kansas state guard Nijel Pack, the portal’s top available transfer, has signed for Miami, he told ESPN.
Pack chose the Hurricanes over Ohio State and Purdue, all of which he’s been visiting in recent weeks.
“The way Coach L [Jim Larranaga] Allowing his players to play freely and pacing with an NBA-style offense, I feel like I can thrive in his program,” Pack said. “Miami felt like home to me and my family and I’m looking forward to building on last year’s Elite Eight heat.”
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Pack, a 6-foot point guard from Indianapolis, was the top transfer remaining in the portal, according to ESPN’s transfer rankings.
Pack left Kansas State a few weeks after Bruce Weber resigned as Wildcats head coach and was replaced by longtime Baylor assistant Jerome Tang.
“For me, the most important factor in choosing a school was the ability to play with the ball and show NBA teams that I’m a true point guard,” Pack said. “I wanted to get an opportunity where I play my natural position most of the time.”
He led Kansas State last season in averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 43.6% from 3-point range. He scored more than 30 points on three occasions, including a 35-point performance against Kansas in January.
Pack received All-Big 12 honors and was named the league’s Most Improved Player after leading the league in 3-point percentage and 3 points per game.
His ability to finish the dribbling with a lightning-fast throw almost immediately after crossing half the court made him one of the most difficult to defend players in the Big 12. He’s also an intimidating force when he’s off the screens.
“Nijel is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Larranaga. “He truly is one of the best players in the country and is an excellent young man with an elite work ethic who loves basketball. As well as being a top scorer with excellent shooting skills, Nijel is also an excellent playmaker and defender. We are very excited to welcome Nijel and his family to the Miami basketball program.”
Miami has enjoyed its best season in program history, winning 26 games and making the Elite Eight as a 10-seed with wins over USC, Auburn and Iowa State. The team played a unique style with five shooters on the floor over long distances and no really big man, proving to be a tough matchup for opponents all season. The Hurricanes’ top scorer Kam McGusty and starting point guard Charlie Moore are both out of college, and second-best scorer Isaiah Wong is testing the NBA draft waters, giving Pack a significant opportunity to enter.
Larranaga has had notable success with smaller point guards in pack form, helping 5-11 Shane Larkin pick the No. 18 NBA draft and seeing 5-11 Angel Rodriguez become an All-ACC player after also from the state of Kansas and took the program to new heights under Moore, who is also 5-11. Pack says he hopes to be the next in a line of undersized guards finding success in South Florida.
“Charlie Moore and Shane Larkin are great examples of what Coach L was able to accomplish with overseers like me,” he said.
Pack put his name in the 2022 NBA draft and says he will continue to evaluate his NBA options while maintaining his college eligibility.