Four-star shooting guard Justin Wise has included Miami with Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Clemson in his final six schools. The 6-foot-4 prospect from North Oconee High School in Bogart, Georgia, made the trimmed list public Saturday, according to Joe Tipton of On3.
Wise ranks No. 63 overall, No. 5 among shooting guards and No. 8 in Georgia in the 2027 247Sports Composite, according to Patrick Previty of Canes Warning. The ranking makes him a national recruit, while the school list shows how heavily his decision remains concentrated in the Southeast.
His high school production gives Miami a clearer reason to stay involved. Wise averaged 20 points, five rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a sophomore, helping North Oconee win a state championship, according to Previty. He has won consecutive region player of the year awards and two state titles.
Wise also plays for Jet Academy on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he has shot about 36% from 3-point range while creating for teammates, according to Previty. The combination matters to Jai Lucas because Miami can use guards who stretch the floor without becoming dependent on assisted shots.
The Hurricanes have a family connection, although it should remain context rather than the center of the recruitment. Wise’s uncle, Torey McCormick, played guard for Miami from 1993-97 under Leonard Hamilton, according to Previty. McCormick led the Hurricanes in minutes, assists and steals as a freshman.
Georgia owns the strongest geographic advantage. North Oconee is about 12 miles from the Bulldogs’ campus, and Wise has already taken an official visit there, according to Previty. Miami cannot change that distance, so Lucas must make the basketball case strong enough to justify leaving home.
Miami’s case can begin with role clarity. Wise’s shooting and secondary playmaking could fit either guard spot, but a final-six prospect will want to know how often the ball would be in his hands and which lineup combinations would maximize him. Miami should show how its current guards create advantages without promising a depth chart that cannot be guaranteed years in advance.
Defense should be part of the pitch as well. Wise’s 2.5 steals per game suggest active hands, but college coaches will ask him to navigate ball screens, contain stronger guards and make rotations away from the ball. Lucas can explain how Miami would turn his size and anticipation into dependable two-way minutes.
The six-school list also gives Lucas a manageable recruiting map. Texas offers a national brand and Wise has visited the Longhorns. Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Clemson keep him within the broader region. Miami’s path depends on sustained communication, a strong visit and evidence that its guard development can match the opportunities closer to Georgia.
Reaching the final six is not a commitment, but it moves Miami from an offer list into a defined competition. Wise has scoring production, winning experience and enough passing to become more than a specialist. The next step for the Hurricanes is turning an inherited family tie into a current relationship built around his own game. A visit that shows him the offense in detail would give Miami its best chance to advance again.
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