Feb 22, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Nijel Pack (24) drives past Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Miami Hurricanes‘ men’s basketball team got a lot better on Saturday. Nijel Pack, who entered the transfer portal from Kansas State in March, is going to the Hurricanes.

Pack and Miami basketball both announced the news on Twitter.

There is a lot to digest here.

First off, Pack is a star. He was named First-Team All-Big 12 as a sophomore in 2022. He averaged 17.4 points, 2.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game during the 2021-22 season while shooting 45.5% from the field, 43.6% on threes and 84.5% on free throws.

That’s a big addition to a team that reached the Elite Eight during the 2022 NCAA Tournament. And Miami fans were happy with the news.

That’s the basketball perspective.

But in the current era of college sports, that’s only a part of what’s relevant. There’s also a business element to look at. And in Pack’s case, that’s significant.

Unsurprisingly, that also drew a lot of comments.

Really, regardless of where one stands on the issue, it’s impossible to notice how much change this is bringing to college sports.

In pro sports, when a great player signs a record-breaking contract, the record usually lasts only until the next great player at that position signs his or her next deal. The NIL deals will likely play out similarly. Pack’s deal may be head-turning but chances are, the next star player to go down a similar road will sign an even bigger deal.

[Nijel Pack, Canes Basketball, John H. Ruiz, Attorney at Law]

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