The Miami Hurricanes are firmly in the mix for one of the most intriguing frontcourt prospects, with four-star center Marcis Ponder including Miami among his top seven schools. The 7-foot, 328-pound big man, nicknamed “Baby Shaq,” narrowed his list to Miami, Providence, Indiana, Cincinnati, Texas, Florida State and Illinois.
Ponder will spend his next season at Gillion Basketball Academy in Virginia after a stint at West Oaks Academy in Florida. He averaged 9.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during his junior year at West Oaks. On the AAU circuit with Team Breakdown, Miami coaches have become familiar with the way he plays.