Deng Gak signed with Miami as a member of the class of 2017— ranked as the 126th best prospect in the nation and 12th among centers. The four-star recruit was set for a dandy debut in Coral Gables.
However, Jim Larranaga made the decision before the 2017-18 season to redshirt the 6-11 post player out of New Jersey’s Blair Academy.
Ahead of Gak on the depth chart was Dewan Hernandez (then known as Huell) and Ebuka Izundu. The former averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 6.7 rebounds, while the latter went for five and 3.