Peter Suder: The Beating Heart of Miami’s Miracle Run

Earlier this year, the Miami RedHawks won the hearts and minds of the college basketball world, finishing the regular season with an undefeated record and earned a placement on the AP Poll for the first time since 1999. 

Miami’s frenetic run to March Madness featured countless white-knuckle wins, including back-to-back overtime wins over Kent State and Buffalo. Those two games, separated by just three days, marked the beginning of senior combo guard Peter Suder’s torrid run.

Suder, who starred at Carmel High School in Indiana, was not a highly-touted recruit. He was given a two-star rating by 247Sports, and received just five offers from Division I programs. 

He initially committed to Bellarmine out of high school, where he’d be thrust into a starting role immediately, and was one of the few bright spots on a team that went 23-41 across two years. Playing big minutes as an underclassman gave Suder ample in-game reps to learn, develop and take risks. He averaged 10.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the expected inefficiency and turnover proclivity of a younger player given a high-usage role. 

After his sophomore season, Suder entered the portal, seeking a winning environment. Miami head coach Travis Steele valued his versatility and two-way ability, and the RedHawks picked him up after spending just a week in the portal. 

Steele's investment paid off right away.

Suder reached double-digit points in five of his first six games, then exploded with a 42-point performance against Air Force, the most points scored in a game by a RedHawk since Wally Szczerbiak’s 43 in 1999.

Suder kept rolling from there. His three-point shot had become a legit weapon, rising from 25 percent in his first two seasons to 35 percent. He posted career-highs in points (13.7), rebounds (4.9) and assists (3.8), and had his most efficient season by far, recording a true shooting of 59 percent, a phenomenal mark for a guard. 

Suder would go on to earn an All-MAC first team selection in his junior campaign, and seemed poised for an even greater step forward in his final year. He was honored as the conference’s preseason player of the year, and Miami was ranked second in the preseason poll. 

The team rolled to start off the year, but through Miami's first 17 games, Suder's performace was flagging, as he struggled to eclipse the numbers from his the prior season.

But that all changed on a home-away weekend in Mid-January. 

On January 17, a 13-5 Buffalo team threatened to end Miami’s unbeaten run, leading by two at halftime. Suder drilled four threes in the first half, carrying the RedHawk offense on his back. 

He began attacking the rim early in the second, re-taking the lead for Miami, before a surge from the Bulls put the visitors back ahead with just minutes to go. With the streak on the line, Suder showed off his poise, drawing multiple fouls to bring the game back within three. Eian Elmer hit the crucial shot to send the game to overtime, where the RedHawks built a six-point cushion. 

The Bulls wouldn’t quit, and tied the game again with just 19 seconds to go. After a timeout, Suder was given the ball at the logo. He crossed over, stepped forward and launched an audacious off-the-dribble three that found nylon as the clock expired.  

peter suder game winner; buffalo vs miami (ohio) pic.twitter.com/pyNorWTJRi

— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) January 17, 2026

The next game, Suder once again acted as the stabilizing force for Miami, finishing just two assists shy of a triple-double. From these two games forward, Suder caught fire to end the year, averaging 17.7 points, 5.2 boards and 3.8 assists. 

In the final game of the year, Suder put in a valiant effort in the eventual first round loss to Tennessee, scoring 27 points while outdueling potential lottery pick Nate Ament. 

This stretch solidified Suder’s case as a potential draftee in 2026, earning him a combine invite and workouts with multiple NBA teams. He was one of just three mid-major players to be invited, joining Santa Clara's Allen Graves and USF's Izayiah Nelson. As of the writing of this article, Suder has worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Indiana Pacers, and has a third workout scheduled with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Let’s dive into what Suder brings to the table for prospective NBA teams:

Offense:

The LA Clippers are expected to bring in 22-year-old, 6’5” senior guard Peter Suder out of Miami (OH) for a pre-draft workout, per @hoopshype.

Suder shot 42% from three-point range and 44% off catch-and-shoot opportunities. pic.twitter.com/ojed9pTHDA

— APHoops (@APH00PS) May 29, 2026

The sell with Suder’s offense lives and dies with whether his three-point shot is real or a flash in the pan. He was a deadeye in his senior year, but not in his three prior collegiate seasons. Even looking back to his time at Carmel High School, he only shot 34 percent from deep. 

He cashed 44 percent of his catch-and-shoot looks in his senior season, which, if it translates, would make him a tantalizing option when you consider his ancillary skills. 

Suder is the quintessential “pass-dribble-shoot” prospect. He is comfortable operating as a point guard and facilitating the offense, but is best as a connective passer, racking up hockey assists and finding open shooters with immense craft. His 22 percent assist rate was stellar for an off-ball guard, and his 14 percent turnover rate displayed intelligent decision making and poise.

That decision-making and poise is evident in his shot selection as well. He’s highly efficient, and knows how to pick and get to his spot. This, paired with an innate ability to get to the free throw line, is a rarity for draftees.

According to Bart Torvik, Suder's unique statistical profile is matched only by five other players, including AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer.

While Suder is comfortable handling the ball, it’s not exactly fluid, nor does it reflect the bounce and twitchiness of players at the next level. His footwork is strong and he moves with intention, but his first step is slow. 

If a team buys into his shooting and it translates at the next level, his ancillary skills will be a luxury to teams. Knockdown shooters that can handle and create in a pinch are hard to come by, but the ability to create in small doses won’t be worth the price of admission if it doesn’t come with a jumper. 

Defense:

Dismissing Suder’s defense after a quick glance would be understandable, but a grave error. 

While he lacks the athleticism to be a great defender, Suder is feisty. He gets himself in passing lanes, generates deflections, and hammers the glass as a guard. He uses every inch of his six-foot-eight wingspan, recording 2.2 steals and blocks per 40 minutes.

His rebounding is also a plus defensive skill for a guard, something he’s been consistently good at since his time at Bellarmine. 

The key word with Suder is "savvy". He processes the game at a higher level than his body can act on. He won’t fill a highlight reel with chasedown blocks, but will thrive in the minutiae of possession-to-possession defense.   

Outlook:

If teams buy into Suder’s three-point shot, he could easily return value beyond his potential draft or undrafted free agent slot. If that shot never comes, it’s hard to envision a role for Suder in the NBA. He’ll get a shot at making his mark in the NBA, likely in the late second round or as an undrafted free agent. The Summer League will be his proving ground.