West Virginia Lands Hidden Gem: Miami Guard MJ Feenane Poised to Ignite Mountaineers’ Backcourt Revival
In a move that has quietly electrified the college basketball landscape, West Virginia University has signed Miami-native guard MJ Feenane, a fiery backcourt presence whose under-the-radar rise is beginning to draw national attention. Though not a five-star headline-maker, Feenane brings an intensity and polish to Morgantown that could mark him as one of the most impactful underdog recruits of the 2025 class.
Feenane, a 6’6″ guard out of Columbus High School in Miami, developed a reputation for being a relentless two-way competitor. Known for his long frame, high basketball IQ, and unshakeable demeanor in pressure situations, Feenane led his team through the grueling Florida 7A circuit—arguably one of the most competitive in the nation. Though he averaged a modest 4 points and 2 rebounds his senior year, those numbers tell only part of the story. Feenane specialized in impact plays—deflections, clutch assists, gritty box-outs, and late-game steals that often don’t make the box score but win games.
What caught the eye of new Mountaineers head coach Ross Hodge wasn’t just Feenane’s physical potential—it was his mental toughness and team-first attitude. “This is a kid who checks into the game and immediately changes the energy on both ends of the floor,” Hodge said. “He doesn’t need the ball to dominate a possession.”
Feenane’s decision to walk on at WVU rather than chase lower-tier Division I offers surprised some observers, but insiders say it reflects his long-game mindset. The Mountaineers, entering a new era after recent roster reshuffles, are reloading with a hybrid of gritty veterans and raw potential. Feenane, expected to redshirt his first season, fits squarely into the program’s culture reset.
“MJ knows he’s not the flashiest guy in this class,” said Jase Herl, the assistant coach who scouted him. “But he’s exactly what we need—someone who’s going to outwork everyone in the gym, every day, and then ask for more film after practice.”
Feenane’s work ethic is almost legendary. At Columbus, he was known for arriving before sunrise to shoot free throws and staying after games to lift weights—often alone. Now, that same dogged determination will serve him well as he grinds through a developmental year in the Big 12, one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.
Social media lit up following Feenane’s commitment. “Blessed to announce I’ll be continuing my academic and athletic journey at West Virginia University,” he wrote on X, punctuated with #HailWV and #NoShortcuts.
For now, Feenane is a name whispered by coaches and quietly respected by teammates. But by the time the 2026 season tips off, don’t be surprised if this Miami-born walk-on is sprinting out of the Coliseum tunnel to roaring applause—ready to take his place in the Mountaineers’ backcourt legacy.
Because sometimes, hidden gems don’t stay hidden for long.
