Limited freshman season sees Miami Hurricanes guard Laboy II seek new opportunities after a tight rotation and a historic team performance.
It’s been a day since the NCAA basketball transfer portal opened and John “JJ” Laboy II has decided to enter a limited freshman season with the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program. He only appeared in six games, none in ACC play, and all were in “garbage time” with the final results being blowouts.
Coach Jai Lucas ran a tight rotation throughout the season; Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen were the only freshmen playing consistent minutes.
Coming off a historic 26-9 season, the Hurricanes look to revamp the roster and build off the recent success. Meanwhile, Laboy II will seek opportunities elsewhere with hopes of finding an established role.
The Houston, Texas, native was a three-star recruit coming from St. Francis Episcopal School. He averaged 13.5 points on 45 percent shooting, 30 percent from three-point range, four rebounds, four assists, and 2.2 steals in 107 total games over three seasons. The 19-year-old was ranked 432nd nationally, 54th among point guards, and 46th in the state of Texas for the class of 2025, according to 247Sports Composite.
Laboy II received interest and offers from the Columbia Lions, FIU Panthers, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Sam Houston Bearkats, Texas State Bobcats, Jacksonville Dolphins, Lamar Cardinals, New Orleans Privateers, and UC Riverside Highlanders.
The three-star prospect originally committed to the Columbia Lions until the Hurricanes presented a scholarship offer shortly after coach Lucas was hired. On the same day, he signed with the power five program.
However, Laboy’s freshman season likely didn’t go as planned.
The Hurricanes finished 299th in Division I college basketball in bench points per game. Coach Jai Lucas primarily played six players. Tre Donaldson, Tru Washington, Malik Reneau, Ernest Udeh Jr., Henderson, and Allen averaged 20-plus minutes a game.
Laboy would likely compete for a backup role with any new program he decides to join. As a transfer portal prospect, he’s unranked, according to 247Sports.
The Hurricanes currently have three roster spots occupied as Henderson and Allen committed to returning, plus five-star forward Caleb Gaskins is set to join his hometown program.
Donaldson, Reneau, and Ernest Udeh Jr. depart from the program without any extra NCAA eligibility and guards Tru Washington and Noam Dovrat entered the transfer portal. The rest of the roster has yet to announce a decision.
However, coach Lucas has a strong chance to revamp the roster after a significant turnaround. The Hurricanes look to remain competitive, not only in the Atlantic Coast Conference but among the best in the nation.
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