Transfer Norchad Omier a big presence ready to make splash for Miami Hurricanes basketball: "We want to win a championship"
The Miami Hurricanes were missing a presence in the paint last season that could affect other teams’ shots while also providing some scoring punch down low.
This year that shouldn’t be a problem.
Arkansas State forward Norchad Omier is a new face this season, choosing Miami out of the portal from Arkansas State.
For Omier, it’s a homecoming of sorts, since he spent a post-graduate year in high school at Miami Prep under coach Art Alvarez.
“Life in Miami, coming back home – I’m used to it,” Omier said. “It was just exciting. Playing for Miami Prep, I always wanted to play for Miami. Making this dream come true, I can’t explain it.”
Omier, who picked the Canes over Texas Tech, Florida State and Georgetown, was Sun Belt freshman of the year in 2020-21 and Player of the Year this past season.
In 2021-22 as a second-year freshman he averaged 17.9 points and 12.2 rebounds with 2.0 blocks, and the prior year he averaged 12.6 points and 12.3 rebounds.
“(Rebounding) I love to do,” Omier said. “I think I want the ball more than everybody.
“I try to be a leader on the court. … I try to learn from the older people. I just try to do everything.”
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Norchad’s story will resonate with Cane fans. The Nicaraguan didn’t play basketball until age 13 and was lightly recruited before becoming one of the most productive big men in the nation.
At 6-7 and 232 pounds, he was the league Defensive Player of the Year and just has the agility and knack for making plays.
His shooting percentage this past season was 63.2 percent, so you get an idea that when he gets around the basket the ball’s usually going to find its way into the net.
“I work with everyone well – (scrimmages) have been really competitive,” Omier said. “Miami (the team) they never give up. I see guys that never give up, just work so hard, play so hard. They made history last year. I want to be part of that history.”
His plan is to help Miami make another big NCAA splash next season.
“A lot of talent on the team,” he said. “It’s been really competitive.
“We want to win a championship. If I need to rebound, score, play hard, I want to do whatever it takes to win the championship.”
