Brown plans to hire agent

CORAL GABLES — As the Hurricanes men’s basketball team begins the process of rebuilding its roster, it now knows it must find ways to replace at least two of its top three scorers.

Hurricanes sophomore Bruce Brown has decided to hire an agent ahead of the NBA draft, Miami coach Jim Larrañaga confirmed Monday.

Once Brown hires that agent, his Miami career will end.

Brown’s decision comes less than a week after teammate Lonnie Walker IV, a freshman, decided he would also enter the draft and hire an agent to guide him through the process.

Also testing the NBA draft waters is sophomore forward Dewan Huell, who has said he plans to enter the draft, but as of Monday, had not made any decision regarding hiring an agent.

Between them, Walker, Brown and Huell were Miami’s leading scorers, averaging 11.5, 11.4 and 11.4 points respectively. Brown was also Miami’s leading rebounder, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game, despite playing in just 19 of Miami’s 32 games this year.

Despite the foot injury that cost him the last portion of his sophomore year, Brown’s decision is hardly unexpected.

The sophomore toyed with the idea of leaving UM after his freshman year, and in March, Larrañaga hinted ahead of Miami’s

NCAA Tournament opener against Loyola Chicago there was a possibility fans had seen the last of Brown in orange and green.

Brown underwent foot surgery in February and though he had been cleared to begin basketball work in the days before the NCAA Tournament, Larrañaga said then it was a stretch the sophomore would be in shape to play.

Now, with Brown healthy and doctors clearing him to step up his workouts, Larrañaga said the 6-foot-5 guard is intent on continuing his training ahead of the draft. The coach added he’s hopeful Brown will have the opportunity to showcase both his skills and health at the draft combine May 16-20 in Chicago.

“He’s going to get himself in great shape,” Larrañaga said.

With Brown’s decision now made, Larrañaga and his staff will continue their work on the recruiting trail. Last week, the coach said the Hurricanes would explore adding not only high school players, but prep school players, as well as Division I transfers and graduate transfers.

His hope, he said Monday, is that Brown and Walker’s success in Coral Gables and their ability to pursue their NBA dreams after playing at Miami will help other young players realize the school can prepare them for their basketball dreams beyond college.

“The message it delivers to all high school prospects is that Miami is a great destination if you want to get a great education but also play at the highest level of basketball and give yourself an opportunity to develop into an NBA talent,” Larrañaga said. “Both [of those] young men came here with high aspirations, both young men were projected to be NBA players and now their dreams are going to come true, because in our estimation, there’s a strong likelihood they’ll both be first-round draft choices.”

Brown