UM men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga nominated for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Jim Larrañaga has long been revered among his college basketball coaching peers, and on Wednesday the University of Miami coach got recognized for his five decades of success as he was nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Larrañaga, 73, ranks ninth among active coaches with 708 career victories. He is one of nine first-time North American nominees, alongside three other coaches (John Beilein, Gregg Popovich and Stan Spirou) and five players (Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade and John Williamson).

He is among four coaches who own at least 150 wins at three-plus Division I schools, along with John Calipari, Lefty Driesell and Cliff Ellis.

Larrañaga, who will enter the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 2023, is first at Miami with 238 victories. His seven 20-win seasons are the most by a Miami coach, and he led the Hurricanes to all four of their 25-win years, five of their 11 NCAA Tournament bids, three of their four Sweet 16 trips, their lone Elite Eight berth and a sweep of the 2013 ACC title.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named a nominee for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,” Larrañaga said. “To be considered alongside some of the giants of our game was beyond my wildest dreams when entering this profession over 50 years ago.

“I’d like to deeply thank each of my assistants, staff members and players throughout the years. This recognition would not be possible without them, and it demonstrates not what I’ve accomplished, but what we have all done together. I’m so grateful to the administrators and fans who have supported us along the way. I also want to especially thank my wife, Liz, and sons, Jay and Jon, for being by my side through all the highs and lows. I’m excited to continue coaching here at Miami and look forward to further elevating this tremendous program.”

The Hurricanes are ranked No. 22 this week in The AP poll and on Tuesday night upset No. 6 Virginia 66-64, improving their record to 12-1 overall and 3-0 in the ACC.

“I am excited to hear that Jim has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,” said UM athletic director Dan Radakovich. “It is a tremendous honor for Jim, who has been a terrific ambassador for college basketball throughout his career and especially here at Miami, where he has led our program to great heights over the past 12 seasons.”

Naismith Hall of Fame finalists from the North American and Women’s committee for the Class of 2023 will be announced on Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m., in Salt Lake City during NBA All-Star Weekend. The entire Class of 2023, including those selected by the direct-elect committees, will be unveiled during the NCAA Final Four in Houston on April 1 at 11 a.m.