For only the second time in program history, Miami’s men’s basketball team has reached the Elite Eight — an accomplishment that is as much the result of a tremendous offseason recruiting effort as it is the result of Jim Larrañaga’s coaching.
Two of the Hurricanes’ biggest contributors this season are Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier, who transferred from Kansas State and Arkansas State, respectively. Pack is third on the team with 13.8 points per game, while Omier averages a double-double (13.3 points, 10.1 rebounds).
Even Isaiah Wong, a holdover from the 2021-22 team who leads the Hurricanes with 16.1 points per game, essentially needed to be recruited to stay in Miami Gardens following the arrival of Pack. Miami-affiliated billionaire John Ruiz, who has made the Hurricanes an NIL powerhouse, persuaded Wong to remain with the team.
This is the world of NIL-funded recruiting — one the Hurricanes have deftly navigated en route to another deep NCAA Tournament run. It’s a controversial topic in the sport, with recently retired Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim accusing the Hurricanes, among other teams, of buying their players.
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“Pittsburgh bought a team. OK, fine. My [big donor] talks about it, but he doesn’t give anyone any money. Nothing,” Boeheim said in February. “Not one guy. Our guys make like $20,000. Wake Forest bought a team. Miami bought a team.”
Regardless, it’s undeniable that Miami’s investment in players — both on the court and in the NIL arena — have paid huge dividends for the program.
The Sporting News revisits Miami’s NIL-fueled recruitment of Pack, Wong and Omier amid the team’s Elite Eight run.
Miami basketball NIL recruitment
Nijel Pack
Pack was the Hurricanes’ first major addition following their run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. He was the No. 4-ranked transfer player in 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 announced by Ruiz on April 23, 2022. In announcing Pack’s transfer, the LifeWallet CEO claimed that the player was signed to a two-year, $800,000 deal with the company that would also include a car:
***BREAKING NEWS*** @LifeWallet is proud to announce @NijelPack24 has officially committed to UM as a basketball player. The biggest LifeWallet deal to date, 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, CEO LifeWallet and Attorney at Law (@JohnHRuiz) April 23, 2022
Seven minutes after Ruiz’s announcement, Pack made the news official on Twitter:
The U let’s work 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/6tQN6gJt4U
— Nijel 🅿️ack (@NijelPack24) April 23, 2022
Pack’s move to Miami nearly unmade the Hurricanes’ roster, however.
MORE: Miami moves on in Elite Eight after knocking out last-standing 1-seed Houston
Isaiah Wong
Within a week of Pack’s transfer to Miami, Wong’s agent — Adam Papas of NEXT Sports Agency — said that his client would enter the transfer portal if his own NIL compensation wasn’t increased. Papas also negotiated the deal that led to Pack transferring to Miami.
“If Isaiah and his family don’t feel that the NIL number meets their expectations (then) they will be entering the transfer portal tomorrow, while maintaining his eligibility in the NBA Draft and going through the draft process,” Papas told ESPN.
“Isaiah would like to stay at Miami,” Papas added. “He had a great season leading his team to the Elite Eight. He has seen what incoming Miami Hurricane basketball players are getting in NIL and would like his NIL to reflect that he was a team leader of an Elite Eight team.”
At the time, Ruiz balked at increasing Wong’s NIL compensation, telling ESPN the rising senior and two-time All-ACC player was “under contract.”
“He has been treated by LifeWallet exceptionally well. If (transferring) is what he decides, I wish him well, however, I DO NOT renegotiate!” Ruiz told ESPN. “I cannot disclose the amount, but what I can say is that he was treated very fairly.”
The following day, Wong issued a statement from his personal Twitter account distancing himself from Papas’ statement, which Wong said was made “without any authorization.” He said at the time he had resolved the misunderstandings between himself and his family, LifeWallet and Miami and was happy to move forward with his current deal.
— Isaiah wong (@zaywong21) April 30, 2022
Earlier in the day, Ruiz said he would continue working with Wong to earn more NIL deals — without increasing his compensation with LifeWallet:
Glad Wong didn’t enter the portal. This is a great youngster and his mom is amazing. The deal remains the same, however, as I said day one I will help him get other NIL Deals. @AdamPapas87 saved the day. Great job Adam in calling me and getting the parties to speak! https://t.co/6MTOwtcXa4
— John H. Ruiz, CEO LifeWallet and Attorney at Law (@JohnHRuiz) April 29, 2022
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Norchad Omier
Prior to Wong’s near-exit from Miami, the Hurricanes landed another significant transfer addition 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. Though his transfer was not publicly related to an NIL deal, he was mentioned in LifeWallet Sports’ Twitter account on Wednesday.
His On3 NIL profile evaluates his current NIL deal to be worth $165,000.