Pack out indefinitely, Johnson-Arigu transfers as UM prepares for FSU game Wednesday
The Miami Hurricanes, stuck in last place in the ACC and adjusting after the unexpected retirement of coach Jim Larranaga, will be without guard Nijel Pack for the foreseeable future.
Pack, the lone player left from UM’s 2023 Final Four team, has missed the last four games with an unspecified right ankle injury and has been in a walking boot. He last played on Dec. 10 in a loss to top-ranked Tennessee.
Interim coach Bill Courtney said he has no idea when, or if, Pack will return to the team. Pack has been unavailable to the media throughout his absence.
“I really wish I knew [an update on Pack],” Courtney said Monday on the weekly ACC coaches’ teleconference as the Canes prepare to play FSU at home Wednesday night. “I don’t know right now. He’s got a doctor’s appointment again on Friday for the foot and ankle specialist. I have no timetable on when he’s going to be back, or if he’s going to be back. Hopefully, we’ll know some more this week.”
The Hurricanes (4-10, 0-3 ACC) are coming off a heartbreaking one-point road loss to Virginia Tech. Miami led all but 12 minutes of that game but fell short in the final minute.
Pack was hampered by nagging knee injuries last season and spoke earlier this season about how good it felt to be healthy before this latest setback. He was averaging 14 points a game, four assists, and three rebounds per game.
Johnson-Arigu enters transfer portal
Miami freshman forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu is the first player to enter the transfer portal since Larranaga’s departure on Dec. 26, according to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports. Johnson-Arigu, a four-star recruit, averaged one point and 5.4 minutes through eight games. UM players were granted a 30-day window to enter the portal due to their coach leaving or they must wait until the end of the season.
Asked about Johnson-Arigu transferring, Courtney said: “We’re not allowed to comment on Isaiah right now. His paperwork isn’t done yet, so I can’t comment on that.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM.