CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami men’s basketball coach Jai Lucas announced Monday the addition of Ernest Udeh Jr. to the 2025-26 roster.

Udeh Jr., a 6-11, 260-pound center from Orlando, Fla., joins the Hurricanes after playing at TCU the last two seasons where he averaged 5.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest and started all 59 games played.

“Ernest not only has a significant presence and physicality on the court, but also a personality that is really important for us as we start to build a culture here at Miami,” Lucas said. “Ernest is a culture driver who will be an extension of the coaching staff on the court. As a player, he is one of the best rebounders in the country and has the ability to be one of the nation’s elite defenders, as well, so we are excited to have him be a part of the program.”

In 2024-25, Udeh Jr. earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention status after finishing seventh in the conference in rebounds per game (7.5) and 11^th in blocks per game (1.3). The center led the Horned Frogs in rebounding in 16 games last season and eclipsed the 10-rebound mark nine times.

A dominant presence in the paint, 70 percent (77-of-110) of Udeh Jr.’s made field goals while at TCU were dunks.

Udeh Jr. spent his freshman season as a Kansas Jayhawk, shooting 75.6 percent from the field, including a Kansas record 21 consecutive made baskets over 17 games from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28. As a freshman, Udeh Jr. averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds while playing just 8.3 minutes per contest.

A McDonald’s All-American as a senior in high school, Udeh Jr. averaged 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in 2021-22. He was the No. 23 prospect in the class of 2022 per ESPN100, No. 31 per 247Sports and No. 32 per Rivals.