BREAKING: Former Idaho State F Kiree Huie commits to Miami
Following a multi-day official visit to Miami last week, former Idaho State forward Kiree Huie has announced his commitment to the Hurricanes and longtime head coach Jim Larrañaga.
“It’s a winning program, and they’re fast-paced,” Huie said. “I got along with the head coach very well, and he has succeeded in the past and has done great things as far as winning. I also really like the team. It’s an older team, and I think that we can make a big run.”
During Huie’s official visit to Miami, the 6-foot-9 forward, who averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Bengals last season, spent extensive time speaking with Larrañaga, who played a vital role in his eventual commitment to the Hurricanes. He also took an official visit to UTSA.
“I really like how the head coach is doing a lot of the talking,” Huie said. “I also like how it was a lot different from my UTSA visit. I just related with Miami’s coach’s much more.”
Prior to his time in Pocatello, Idaho, Huie played in the junior college ranks for the Odessa College Wranglers and appeared in all 34 games, starting in 25 of them last year. He finished the year averaging 10.6 points on 60.8% shooting from the field, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game as the Wranglers finished the season with a 30-4 overall record and 15-1 conference record.
“I’m a great blocker, rebounder, and hard worker,” Huie explained. “My inside game is really good, and I’m just an all-around dog.”
After a disappointing 15-17 campaign last season, Larrañaga and the Canes have retooled their roster, adding size in the frontcourt, with Huie becoming the latest addition via the transfer portal.
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“They told me that they wanted me to play at the four and the five,” Huie explained. “They also want me to space out my game a little bit and shoot threes. And also be dominant in the post and on the glass.”
This offseason, Miami has seen the departure of several key players from last year’s team, which include forward Norchad Omier (17 PPG, 10 RPG), guard Wooga Poplar (13.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG), and standout freshman Kyshawn George (7.6 PPG, 3 RPG), who is projected by many to be a first-round selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Huie is now the Hurricanes’ fourth transfer portal addition this offseason. He joins former Stetson guard Jalen Blackmon, who was one of the nation’s most prolific scorers last season after averaging 21.3 points per game, which was the 10th-best in the country; former East Carolina power forward Brandon Johnson, who averaged 14 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this past season; and former Virginia Tech center Lynn Kidd, who averaged 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 66.8 percent from the field, which was the fourth-highest in the country this past season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kiree Huie and his family into our program here at Miami,” Larrañaga said in a press release. “Kiree has great skill in the post, is a terrific rebounder and possesses a strong work ethic. The combination of his size and athleticism will bolster our front court and add tremendous value to our program.”
