Rutgers transfer center Cliff Omoruyi commits to Alabama, Nate Oats
Afrer entering the NCAA transfer portal, former Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi has officially committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, On3 has learned.
Omoruyi was one of the most coveted bigs in the transfer portal following his entrance in March, spending the first four seasons of his college career with the Scarlett Knights where he become one of the program’s most dominant centers in school history. Known for cleaning glass, blocking shots, and getting buckets are a high efficiency at 6-foot-11.
Originally a Benin City, Nigeria native, Omoruyi played his high school basketball Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, where he was a four-star recruit. Ranked the No. 47 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 8 center from the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
After starting in just six games with 23 game appearances as a true freshman, he started and played in 98 the past three seasons for Rutgers. Where he averaged 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
Omoruyi has been a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, a two time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and a two-time member of the First-Team All-Big Ten Defensive Team. Ranking No. 4 all time in Rutgers’ program history in career rebounds, No. 4 in field goal percentage, and tied for sixth all-time in career blocks.
After averaging a career-high 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in 2022, Omoruyi had another strong season in his final year with Rutgers last year. Averaging 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a career-high 2.9 blocks per game, with his 93 blocks on the season representing the most from a Big Ten player since 2018. He also posted nine double-doubles last season and shot an efficient 51.2% from the field, and will now look to have that same impact on both ends of the floor for the Crimson Tide.
Omoruyi joins Alabama following a historic season in Tuscaloosa where head coach Nate Oats helped lead the Crimson Tide to their second Elite Eight appearance in program history and their first Final Four. An achievement that the presence of Omoruyi could surely help Alabama achieve once again in the 2024-2025 season.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.