Five-star freshman Caleb Gaskins and sophomore Shelton Henderson emerge as top targets, as the Miami Hurricanes look to secure elite status as a premier pipeline for NBA talent.
MIAMI, Fla. – Following the end of Wednesday night’s 2026 NBA Draft, all Miami Hurricanes prospects – Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau, and Ernest Udeh Jr. – were not selected within the top 60 picks. However, they secured opportunities to earn a spot in the league.
Donaldson: Miami Heat (Two-Way)
Udeh Jr.: Cleveland Cavaliers (Two-Way)
Reneau: Orlando Magic (Exhibit 10)
All will participate in July’s Summer League to showcase individual talents and contributions. Following first-time head coach Jai Lucas to Coral Gables led to new career highs, including All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. They established a new winning foundation for the men’s basketball program.
Ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season, the Hurricanes have a couple of NBA prospects that could climb the ranks for the 2027 class. In ESPN’s way-too-early mock draft, incoming freshman Caleb Gaskins was projected as the No. 11 pick. Despite not having played a collegiate game yet, the Miami native is ranked as a top-20 five-star prospect from Christopher Columbus High School.
In two seasons, Gaskins averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 62 games, according to MaxPreps. He received scholarship offers from the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Texas Longhorns, along with others, before committing to “The U” on Oct. 30, 2025 – seven months after Lucas was hired.
Although the versatile forward is talented – listed at 6-8, 219 pounds – Gaskins could return to college for a sophomore season to further develop. It would likely take outstanding freshman production and lottery security to lure him to the Draft.
On the other hand, ESPN projects Hurricanes sophomore Shelton Henderson as a second-round prospect – No. 48 pick. The Texas native originally committed to Duke but followed Lucas to South Florida and flipped to “The U.” Henderson was a top-30 five-star prospect coming from Bellaire High School.
The highly touted forward delivered an immediate impact for the Hurricanes: 13.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals, starting in all 35 games. Despite having the opportunity to explore other options – enter the transfer portal and sign for more NIL money – Henderson decided to return to the Hurricanes ahead of a sophomore campaign. He showed flashes of complete capabilities, but there was still room for improvement.
Henderson is a ball-handling forward who can create a shot for himself, is efficient in the mid-range, can back down defenders in the post, and can play off-ball – cutting to the basket and in the dunker’s spot. However, in a league where outside shooting is a top priority, the 19-year-old needs to be more efficient. Henderson shot 25.5 percent from behind the arc with the Hurricanes last season. If he manages to improve, it will help the team and climb up on draft boards.
Following a 26-9 season, the Hurricanes are expected to compete for conference and national titles. Henderson and Gaskins will play key roles in the program’s success. The journey as rising prospects and contenders will start in Tampa against the Gators.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
