Wong ready for ‘likely’ last season with ’Canes

When Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball guard Isaiah Wong announced over the summer that he was going to return to UM, he did so with his head coach believing it’ll likely only be for one more year.

Wong, UM’s leading scorer (17.1 points per game) from last year, is back in Coral Gables for his third season with the Hurricanes after declaring for the 2021 NBA draft in April before opting to return to Miami in June.

But for coach Jim Larrañaga, there’s already a belief that 2021-22 will be Wong’s final season with the program.

“We believe wholeheartedly in him and have tremendous confidence that this will likely be his last year at the University of Miami because he’s an NBA-quality guard,” Larrañaga said. “We’ve already had a number of NBA scouts here at our practices watching him and they’ve all been very, very impressed and have shared with me and my staff that they also believe Isaiah is a firstround pick.”

Wong, who was named to the All-ACC Third Team last season and was a preseason All-ACC First Team honoree, worked out for the Cleveland Cavaliers and had meetings with other NBA teams during the draft process, the 20-year-old guard told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The main feedback he received from NBA teams was to increase his 3-point percentage after shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc on 5.3 attempts per game.

Teams also want to see Wong become a better defender and win more with the Hurricanes, who went 10-17 (4-15 ACC) last season.

“With me, it’s just watching more film,” Wong said about how he could become a better defender. “You got to know your personnel and their habits. And what’s his go-to. Whether he’s a righty or lefty. Knowing how he gets to the paint and how he shoots.”

To Larrañaga, Wong’s offseason work has already started to make itself evident after the Hurricanes won their exhibition over Nova Southeastern on Oct. 20. Wong scored 40 points in the win over the Sharks.

“Isaiah’s one of those guys that you love coaching,” Larrañaga said. “He’s kind of a quiet young man who just works his tail off. He gives you a great effort every day in practice and every time he puts on his basketball shoes. He’s an outstanding scorer, but he’s improved dramatically in his defense, rebounding and he’s really working to create opportunities for his teammates. He’s worked on his game.”

And for Wong, returning to a team that brought back several players from last year, including guard Kameron McGusty, who also decided to withdraw his name from the NBA draft and come back to UM, has him in a comfortable spot.

“At the team level, we got most of our veterans coming back,” Wong said. “We have players I’m already comfortable with, so that’s going to help the team.”

Even though he didn’t receive a vote for the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Wong’s keeping his focus on team achievements.

“ACC Tournament, March Madness tournament and winning it,” Wong said, “that’s pretty much my goal: just winning.”

ROBERT FRANKLIN/AP Isaiah Wong was the Hurricanes’ top scorer last season.