UM men’s and women’s basketball teams land highly-ranked 2025 recruiting classes

The University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams stocked up for the future, as coaches Jim Larranaga and Tricia Cullop on Wednesday announced the signings of seven players to National Letters of Intent.

Four-star recruits Matthew Able, a 6-5 guard from Tampa, and Ben Ahmed, a 6-9 and 300-lb. center from Connecticut, signed for the Hurricanes’ men’s team. The women’s team added five four-star signees -- Camille Williams (Guard / Fort Worth, Texas), Natalie Wetzel (Forward, McMurray, Pa.), Meredith Tippner (Guard / Noblesville, Ind.), Danielle Osho (Guard, Dacula, Ga.), and Emanuella “Soma” Okolo (Forward / Leander, Texas).

The UM men have the ninth-ranked class in the nation, per Rivals, and the women’s class was ranked by ESPNW as the fifth best in the country.

Able is rated No. 34 in the class per 247Sports, and he is a top 40 recruit in the On3 and Rivals lists. The guard helped Berkeley Prep to a 23-7 overall record in 2023-24, but will play his senior season at Sagemont Prep in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He played club ball for Austin Rivers SE Elite.

“Matthew Able is a very athletic combo guard who shoots the ball very well and plays hard each time he steps on the court,” said Larranaga. “He was an unranked prospect going into the summer, but he continued to get better every day and finished the circuit among the top-50 players in the nation.”

Ahmed, a native of Nigeria, helped Putnam Science Academy win the National Prep Championship title in 2022-23 and aided the team to a runner-up finish in 2023-24.

“Ben Ahmed is a big-bodied low-post player who has an elite left-handed scoring ability around the basket,” Larranaga said. “He is high-energy player and a capable passer in the high-post area. Ben is going to be a great part of the Miami program in the coming years.”

On the women’s side, Williams ranks No. 36 in the nation by ESPN and is the No. 4 prospect in the state of Texas.

“Camille is a combo-guard who hails from very successful High School and AAU programs,” said Cullop. “She possesses an elite IQ, and she has the ability to score from the arc, pull-up, or drive. She has great court vision, ball-handling skills, and is a quick defender. I absolutely love her competitiveness and versatility.”

Wetzel ranks No. 79 in the nation, per ESPN.

“Natalie is a stretch post player who has an uncanny ability to shoot beyond the arc,” said Cullop. “She is a quality passer and is very mobile for her 6-foot-3 frame. She has a quick release, runs the floor well, and can rebound outside of her area. We love her skill level and ability to help us stretch the floor.”

Tippner is rated No. 93 by ESPN and was named 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana. A two-sport athlete, she was 2024 Miss Soccer in Indiana.

“Meredith is a strong scoring guard who can score at all three levels,” said Cullop. “She is an elite defender who is willing to do whatever the team needs in order to win. Between both soccer and basketball, she has already secured four State Championships. She is the ultimate competitor with an unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game.”

Osho ranks No. 54 by ESPN and was a two-time state champion.

“Danielle is a strong, skilled big guard who can stretch the floor with her shooting ability,” said Cullop. “She comes from a very successful High School program that is in the hunt for a state title. She can rebound, pass, and handle the ball. I love her skill level, work ethic, and understanding of the game.

Finally, Emanuella “Soma” Okolo averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds for Glenn High School.

“Soma is an incredible athlete who can play inside or out,” said Cullop. “ can rim run, attack defenses on the drive, and stretch the floor with her 3-point shot. She is an elite rebounder and shot blocker. I love how she impacts the game on both sides of the floor. She possesses a 35-inch vertical and can already dunk.”