Nijel Pack enters transfer portal, seeking medical waiver, sixth year of eligibility
Nijel Pack is the latest University of Miami basketball player to enter the transfer portal. Pack, who will turn 24 in May, is seeking a third home for his sixth year of eligibility.
He is one of seven Hurricanes to enter the portal as new coach Jai Lucas takes over the program after the retirement of Jim Larranaga. More than 1,000 basketball players from around the country entered the portal in the first two days after it opened March 24.
Pack spent the first two years of his career at Kansas State, where he earned All-Big 12 honors his sophomore season with 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Pack then transferred to Miami and the signing drew national headlines as he received a two-year NIL deal that reportedly was worth $800,000.
His junior year he played a key role in the Hurricanes reaching their first Final Four in school history. Pack averaged 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists that season. He tested the NBA waters but decided to stick around for his senior season and averaged similar numbers, missing seven games due to a knee injury. The Hurricanes struggled and finished 15-17.
Then, in March of 2024, Pack announced that he was using the COVID Eligibility Waiver to return to UM and play a fifth season.
Pack announced his decision on social media with the headline: “Pack is Back!” He wrote: “Going into my final season, my focus is getting healthy and leading our team to compete at the highest level in every aspect of the game, every day.”
He was the only player remaining from the Final Four team on the 2024-25 roster but played only the first nine games and spent the rest of the season out with an ankle injury. His last game was Dec. 10 against Tennessee. He averaged 13.9 points, four rebounds and three assists in the games he played. The Hurricanes finished in last place in the ACC with a 3-17 conference record and a 7-24 record overall.
Whichever school takes Pack will have to submit for a medical hardship waiver for him, which would give him an extra year, if approved.
Other UM players who entered the transfer portal are: Jalil Bethea, Paul Djobet, Austin Swartz, Jalen Blackmon, Xander Alarie and Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, who committed to Iowa. According to 247 Sports, Bethea left open the option of returning to Miami, but is also considering Alabama, N.C. State and Kansas State.