Miami Lands Michigan Transfer LJ Cason, Giving Jai Lucas Another Major Addition

Kamdyn Burton˙

Jul 21, 2026 2 min read

Miami added another important piece to its roster with the commitment of former Michigan guard LJ Cason, who entered the transfer portal following Dusty May’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound sophomore was putting together a strong season for the Wolverines before a torn ACL ended his year in late February. In 2025-26, Cason averaged 8.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 50.3 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from three-point range, and 70.9 percent from the free throw line.

Before the injury, Cason had developed into one of Michigan’s most reliable perimeter shooters. His ability to knock down shots from deep, play on or off the ball, and stretch the floor makes him a perfect fit for Jai Lucas system. Miami has been searching for more shooting, and Cason brings exactly that.

The expectation is that Cason will sit out this season as he continues recovering from his ACL injury. While the Hurricanes may have to be patient with Cason injury to heal up, adding a player with his talent is well worth the wait.

Jai Lucas continues to build one of the best rosters in college basketball. Even in the middle of July, Jai Lucas and the staff isn’t slowing down in the transfer portal, showing how he has fully changed the program and is taking it in a positive direction.

With Cason now on the roster, the Hurricanes roster is loaded with talent. Miami features Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis, Dante Allen, Shelton Henderson, five-star freshman Caleb Gaskins, Georgia transfer Somto Cyril, Saint Peter’s transfer Brent Bland, Indiana transfer Nick Dorn, Marcus Allen, Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, international prospect Egor Ryzhov, and now LJ Cason.

Before this addition, many viewed Miami as a top-15 team heading into the season. After landing a proven shooter like Cason, it may be time to start the conversation about the Hurricanes being even a top-10 team in the country. On paper, Miami has the depth, and talent to compete with anyone.

Jai lucas is cooking ladies and gentleman, with another piece added to the roster. There is so much to be excited about heading into the 2026/27 season.

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Comments (19)

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IncaneInTheBrain

Jul 21, 2026

Wow, assuming he's healthy this is a pretty big pickup

Rey Rey Armweak

Jul 21, 2026

Great addition. Assume he won't be fully health early on but could help for the stretch run. At worst, he doesn't contribute this year but is a good player we can retain for the 2027-2028 season.

Trinton Breeze

Jul 21, 2026

Tony4Canes

Jul 21, 2026

JZCane0825

Jul 21, 2026

Tony4Canes said:

Interesting. There seemed to be momentum towards him playing this year based on earlier reporting but now sounds like he's effectively redshirting.

Da Jumbo Mutombo

Jul 21, 2026

Hmm...he would be at a full year post injury around conference championship games. Typically doesnt take a full 12 months anymore. Idk when he had his surgery tho, but thats surprising to sit the whole yr.

2001canes4L

Jul 21, 2026

With 5 to play 5, no reason for him not to play in February if he is healthy

Trav

Jul 21, 2026

Nice pick up.

H
hotshot

Jul 21, 2026

Tony4Canes said:

I like the fact he's planning to sit this season out.

Jul 21, 2026

****, that’s majorly surprising. . . . . Guess we’ll see if anything changes in 2027.

Kinda bummed out because the added dimension he would bring our team, on the other hand, Dusty May said Lj was breaking the news to Michigan boosters that he would be able to return in January or so….unless he suffered a setback I’m not sure why he switched up.

Either way, I’m glad we have in him the fold.

Angry Ibis

Jul 21, 2026

Welcome to the U!

Numb Nuts

Jul 21, 2026

Nothing to see here

JZCane0825

Jul 21, 2026

Numb Nuts said:
Nothing to see here

????

C
Canedude08

Jul 21, 2026

Da Jumbo Mutombo said:
Hmm...he would be at a full year post injury around conference championship games. Typically doesnt take a full 12 months anymore. Idk when he had his surgery tho, but thats surprising to sit the whole yr.

No need to rush him back. People forget that even with the reduced rehab time, it takes a fair amount of time to get back into game shape and to overcome any mental issues that comes with that injury.

Let him heal and be full go when he comes back. It also gives Coach Lucas an opportunity to get him into the rotation from day one, instead of dropping him in late season.

Da Jumbo Mutombo

Jul 21, 2026

Apparently he delayed his surgery to be with the team during theor March run. He had surgery in April. Makes more sense why he is out next yr.

Jul 21, 2026

Da Jumbo Mutombo said:
Apparently he delayed his surgery to be with the team during theor March run. He had surgery in April. Makes more sense why he is out next yr.

Still amazed and grateful we got him, and obviously it’s his livelihood so he will proceed with caution how he feels best. I thought he was better than their freshman McDonald’s all American yet he’s only a few months older. Hes a special, multifaceted guard.

All that being said, the reason you gave still doesn’t satisfy me as an official explanation.

We have contradictory evidence from literally a month ago, and the most important part of the evidence is that Dusty May didn’t reveal it; Lj himself did to boosters which got out to a larger audience so dusty then opined on it.

Glad he’s a hurricane over everything else. Godspeed on the recovery and his return will be a category 5

TheOriginalCane

Jul 22, 2026

cookies said:
Still amazed and grateful we got him, and obviously it’s his livelihood so he will proceed with caution how he feels best. I thought he was better than their freshman McDonald’s all American yet he’s only a few months older. Hes a special, multifaceted guard.

All that being said, the reason you gave still doesn’t satisfy me as an official explanation.

We have contradictory evidence from literally a month ago, and the most important part of the evidence is that Dusty May didn’t reveal it; Lj himself did to boosters which got out to a larger audience so dusty then opined on it.

Glad he’s a hurricane over everything else. Godspeed on the recovery and his return will be a category 5

I don't know if you are going to be butthurt by these comments because of prior ***-whippings I administered to you, but someone needs to point out the most ridiculous thngs that you say. I truly hope you can get over the past and improve your posts in the future.

Simply stated, you don't know how to process or analyze the words that these guys are using. You elevate these words to "evidence" and then tell a knowledgeable poster this his "reason" doesn't "satisfy you" as an "official explanation".

First, @Da Jumbo Mutombo didn't offer an "official explanation". He pointed out the delay in surgery and then said why it "makes sense" for a delay in recovery.

Second, players can say whatever they want. They can be optimistic. I knew plenty of UM classmates in the 1980s and 1990s who would not publicly disclose the severity of injuries or the delays in recovery so that they would not be Wally-Pipp-ed.

Third, claiming that these statements are some sort of definitive evidence also overlooks any motivation involving the Portal. If that video is from June 18th, you have to consider that May took the job with Dallas on June 23rd. Given the closeness that Cason had with May, following him from FAU, perhaps he had an inkling that May was interviewing and possibly leaving, so if you are able to jump in the Portal when your coach leaves, you wouldn't want prospective schools to think you are damaged goods.

Fourth, recovery is not a straight line. There may be delays or setbacks, so ANY medical prognosis or projection from a month ago is subject to being trashed upon receiving an updated diagnosis.

Finally, once May leaves, all bets are off. Whatever goals or promises were made to try to get back on the floor at Michigan are worthless. Maybe the new coach will bring other guys that he likes better. Or maybe a coach at a new school is willing to offer ample recovery time without any pressure to return for this next year.

Clearly, you are a very good social media scrounger. You find all sorts of tweets and posts, and you bring them here. And that is fine, but it doesn't mean your information is definitive and it doesn't mean your info is "evidence" to tell someone else that his "reason doesn't satisfy you".

Analyze. Think for yourself. Don't act like every post on every social is rock-solid. Other people have other sources and other information too. You are not the gate-keeper. I knew, well in advance, that Cason was a possibility and that there would be no pressure to be ready on Day 1, and that Cason had to weigh the Miami offer against other offers that potentially promised to get him on the floor faster.

I am glad that Cason picked Miami. I'm fine if he doesn't play this year. And that might be the INITIAL plan, which could be modified if Cason's recovery goes very well and/or another Miami player gets hurt. At this same time last year, we thought Marcus Allen would be playing for us in the upcoming year.

How did that turn out?

Jul 22, 2026

TheOriginalCane said:
I don't know if you are going to be butthurt by these comments because of prior ***-whippings I administered to you, but someone needs to point out the most ridiculous thngs that you say. I truly hope you can get over the past and improve your posts in the future.

Simply stated, you don't know how to process or analyze the words that these guys are using. You elevate these words to "evidence" and then tell a knowledgeable poster this his "reason" doesn't "satisfy you" as an "official explanation".

First, @Da Jumbo Mutombo didn't offer an "official explanation". He pointed out the delay in surgery and then said why it "makes sense" for a delay in recovery.

Second, players can say whatever they want. They can be optimistic. I knew plenty of UM classmates in the 1980s and 1990s who would not publicly disclose the severity of injuries or the delays in recovery so that they would not be Wally-Pipp-ed.

Third, claiming that these statements are some sort of definitive evidence also overlooks any motivation involving the Portal. If that video is from June 18th, you have to consider that May took the job with Dallas on June 23rd. Given the closeness that Cason had with May, following him from FAU, perhaps he had an inkling that May was interviewing and possibly leaving, so if you are able to jump in the Portal when your coach leaves, you wouldn't want prospective schools to think you are damaged goods.

Fourth, recovery is not a straight line. There may be delays or setbacks, so ANY medical prognosis or projection from a month ago is subject to being trashed upon receiving an updated diagnosis.

Finally, once May leaves, all bets are off. Whatever goals or promises were made to try to get back on the floor at Michigan are worthless. Maybe the new coach will bring other guys that he likes better. Or maybe a coach at a new school is willing to offer ample recovery time without any pressure to return for this next year.

Clearly, you are a very good social media scrounger. You find all sorts of tweets and posts, and you bring them here. And that is fine, but it doesn't mean your information is definitive and it doesn't mean your info is "evidence" to tell someone else that his "reason doesn't satisfy you".

Analyze. Think for yourself. Don't act like every post on every social is rock-solid. Other people have other sources and other information too. You are not the gate-keeper. I knew, well in advance, that Cason was a possibility and that there would be no pressure to be ready on Day 1, and that Cason had to weigh the Miami offer against other offers that potentially promised to get him on the floor faster.

I am glad that Cason picked Miami. I'm fine if he doesn't play this year. And that might be the INITIAL plan, which could be modified if Cason's recovery goes very well and/or another Miami player gets hurt. At this same time last year, we thought Marcus Allen would be playing for us in the upcoming year.

How did that turn out?