For only the second time in program history, the Miami men’s basketball team reached the Elite Eight – an accomplishment that is as much the result of a tremendous offseason recruiting effort as it is the result of the Jim Larrañaga’s training.
Two of the Hurricanes’ biggest contributors this season are Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier, transfers from Kansas State and Arkansas State, respectively. Pack is third on the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game, while Omier is averaging a double-double (13.3 points, 10.1 rebounds).
Even Isaiah Wong, a holdover from the 2021-22 team that leads the Hurricanes with 16.1 points per game, essentially needed to be recruited to stay in Miami Gardens after the Pack’s arrival. Miami-affiliated billionaire John Ruiz, who built the Hurricanes into a NIL power, persuaded Wong to stay on the team.
This is the world of NIL-funded recruiting — a world the Hurricanes have deftly navigated en route to another deep NCAA Tournament run. It’s a controversial topic in sports, with recently retired Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim accusing the Hurricanes, among other teams, of buy their players.
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“Pittsburgh bought a team. OK, great. My (big donor) talks about it, but he doesn’t give money to anyone. Nothing,” Boeheim said in February. “Not a single guy. Our guys make like $20,000. Wake Forest bought a team. Miami bought a team.”
Regardless, there’s no denying that Miami’s investment in players – both on the field and in the NIL arena – has paid huge dividends for the program.
The Sporting News looks back at Miami’s NIL-fueled recruitment of Pack, Wong and Omier amid the team’s Elite Eight run.
NIL Miami Basketball Recruiting
Nijel Pack
Pack was the Hurricanes’ first major addition following their run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. He was the Transfer player #4 into the NCAA portal after averaging 17.4 points per game for Kansas State in 2021-22.
Pack chose Miami over Ohio State and Purdue, as Ruiz announced on April 23, 2022. In announcing Pack’s transfer, the LifeWallet CEO claimed the player signed a two-year, $800,000 contract with the company which would also include a car. :
***LATEST NEWS*** @LifeWallet is proud to announce @NijelPack24 officially committed to UM as a basketball player. Largest LifeWallet transaction to date, over two years, $800,000.00 total at $400,000.00 per year plus a car. Congratulations!!! @johnnyruiz4 @alex7ruiz @ddiazon7 pic.twitter.com/SzKHag8qnG
– John H. Ruiz, LifeWallet CEO and attorney (@JohnHRuiz) April 23, 2022
Seven minutes after Ruiz’s announcement, Pack made the news official on Twitter:
The U is working ???????? pic.twitter.com/6tQN6gJt4U
– Nijel ????️ack (@NijelPack24) April 23, 2022
However, Pack’s move to Miami nearly destroyed the Hurricanes’ roster.
MORE: Miami advances to Elite Eight after eliminating No. 1 seed Houston
Isaiah Wong
Less than a week after Pack’s move to Miami, Wong’s agent – Adam Papas of NEXT Sports Agency – said his client would enter the transfer portal if his own NIL compensation was not increased. Papas also negotiated the deal that led to Pack’s move to Miami.
“If Isaiah and his family do not feel that the NIL number meets their expectations (then) they will enter the transfer portal tomorrow, while retaining his NBA draft eligibility and going through the draft process,” said Dads at ESPN.
“Isaiah would like to stay in Miami,” Papas added. “He had a great season leading his team to the Elite Eight. He saw what new Miami Hurricane basketball players get in NIL and would like his NIL to reflect that he was the leader of a Elite Eight team.”
At the time, Ruiz was hesitant to increase Wong’s NIL compensation, telling ESPN that the rising senior and two-time All-ACC player was “under contract.”
“He has been treated exceptionally well by LifeWallet. If he decides to (transfer), I wish him well, however, I am NOT renegotiating!” Ruiz told ESPN. “I can’t disclose the amount, but what I can say is that it was treated very fairly.”
The following day, Wong released a statement from his personal Twitter account, distancing himself from Papas’ statement, which Wong said was made “without any authorization.” He said that at the time he had resolved misunderstandings between him and his family, LifeWallet and Miami and was happy to move forward with his current deal.
– Isaiah Wong (@zaywong21) April 30, 2022
Earlier today, Ruiz said he would continue to work with Wong to win more NIL deals – without increasing his compensation with LifeWallet:
Glad Wong didn’t enter the portal. He’s a great kid and his mom is amazing. The deal remains the same, however, as I said on day one, I will help him get other NIL offers. @AdamPapas87 saved the day. Great job, Adam, calling me and getting the parties talking! https://t.co/6MTOwtcXa4
– John H. Ruiz, LifeWallet CEO and attorney (@JohnHRuiz) April 29, 2022
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Norchad Omier
Before Wong’s near-exit from Miami, the Hurricanes landed another big-time transfer in Omier from Arkansas State. The 29th-ranked transfer in 2022 averaged double-double seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22 for the Red Wolves. Although his transfer was not publicly linked to a NIL deal, he was mentioned in LifeWallet Sports Twitter account Wednesday.
Her On3 NIL Profile values his current NIL contract at $165,000.
