Future star Caleb Gaskins earned McDonald's All-American honors, joining an elite Miami Hurricanes legacy as the program rebuilds for March Madness contention.
The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball squad is coming off a self-inflicted 86-85 loss against the California Golden Bears on Saturday. The lack of free-throw shooting, especially in the second half, hurt the team's chances of a potential comeback. They made 23 out of 33 attempts, 69.7 percent, for the game.
Jai Lucas and the players are off until Saturday's game against the Boston College Eagles.
In other news, the program's future looks bright as four-star forward Caleb Gaskins was named a McDonald's All-American on Monday.
The Hurricanes are one of three ACC programs represented this year, along with Duke Blue Devils five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr. and five-star forward Cam Williams. Plus, the North Carolina Tar Heels' four-star forward Maximo Adams.
Gaskins had a strong junior season at Columbus High School, averaging 13.6 points on 54 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent from three-point range, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 31 games.
The 17-year-old becomes the seventh player in program history to be named a McDonald's All-American. An exclusive club that consists of center Alfredo "Tito " Horford in 1985, forward Steve Edwards in 1992, forward Darius Rice in 2000, forward Dewan Hernandez in 2016, guard Lonnie Walker IV in 2017, and guard Jalil Bethea in 2024, who is currently with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Gaskins is listed at 6'8, 219 pounds, with a 7'1 wingspan. He received offers and interest from numerous power-four programs, such as the Florida Gators, Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Bulldogs, and others, before committing to the Hurricanes on Oct. 30, 2025. He then signed a letter of intent on Nov. 19, 2025.
The Hurricanes are in the early stages of the Lucas rebuild, which has proven to have early success. They currently sit with a 17-5 overall record, 6-3 in ACC play, tied for fifth in the conference standings. The team could crack the March Madness bracket, but the resume needs improving.
Three ranked opponents remain on the schedule: the 14-Tar Heels on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 18-Virginia Tech Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 21, and 24-Louisville Cardinals on Saturday, March 7.
The Hurricanes are in need of a standout victory.
Gaskins will have an opportunity to carve out a starting role upon arrival, as forward Malik Reneau, center Ernest Udeh Jr., and guard Tre Donaldson will depart after this season, due to no longer having NCAA eligibility.
Lucas emphasized his plans rebuild the Hurricanes’ basketball program with players from the state of Florida, which counts Gaskins as a Melbourne native.
The McDonald's All-American game will take place on Tuesday, March 31, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. ESPN will broadcast the game at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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