Cliff Omoruyi is coming back to Piscataway.
The Rutgers center removed his name from the NBA Draft pool and has elected to return for his fourth season of college basketball, he announced on Wednesday, the deadline day for underclassmen to pull out of the process.
“I’ve built a legacy at Rutgers,” Omoruyi wrote in a graphic announcing his return. “Coach Pikiell has a vision for this program to compete for a national championship next season and I believe in his vision. I plan to fulfill my promise to my mom to finish what I started and graduate with a college degree. I’m excited for what’s to come. Rutgers Naiton, Are You Ready?!”
Omoruyi underwent private workouts with multiple NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz, and participated in the G-League Elite Camp. He put up respectable measurables at the latter event, including a 7-foot-6 wingspan. But ultimately, he elected to return to school, saving the Scarlet Knights from having to scramble for a replacement at a point where most top transfers at his position have already found a new home.
Omoruyi has two years of eligibility remaining, so he can theoretically return for the 2024-25 season as well. But in what could be an indication of his future plans, Omoruyi captioned his post announcing his return with “LAST GO ROUND.”
The junior averaged 13.2 points on 50.7% shooting (52.9% on twos, 18.2% on threes, 60.4% on free throws), 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game last season. He led the Big Ten in block percentage during conference play (9.4%) and ranked top five in both offensive and defensive rebounding rate.
Omoruyi became the second player in program history to be named to the Associated Press’ All-Big Ten team, earning a second-team selection this past season. He joined Harper, who was also a second-team selection last season. Omoruyi was also named a second-team All-Big Ten selection and a Big Ten All-Defensive Team member by the league’s coaches.
Rutgers now has four open scholarships entering the 2023-24 season. One is being reserved for guard Paul Mulcahy — who is also going through the NBA Draft process but is expected to return to Rutgers — and at least one more may be used to bolster the roster via a late addition from the transfer portal. The Scarlet Knights could certainly use another three-point shooter after leading scorer Cam Spencer shockingly leaved the program via transfer two weeks ago.
Caleb McConnell (eligibility exhausted), Spencer (transfer), Jalen Miller (transfer), Oskar Palmquist (transfer) and Dean Reiber (transfer) left the program this offseason. The Scarlet Knights will add UMass transfer guard Noah Fernandes and 2023 signee Jamichael Davis to the roster.
Here is Rutgers’ projected roster makeup entering the 2023-24 season, assuming Mulcahy returns to school (labeled by years of eligibility remaining):
1 year - Paul Mulcahy (G), Aundre Hyatt (G), Noah Fernandes (G).
2 years - Mawot Mag (F), Cliff Omoruyi (C).
3 years - Derek Simpson (G), Antwone Woolfolk (F), Antonio Chol (F).
4 years - Gavin Griffiths (F), Jamichael Davis (G).
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Guards (4): Paul Mulcahy, Noah Fernandes; Derek Simpson; Jamichael Davis.
Wings (4): Aundre Hyatt, Mawot Mag; Antonio Chol; Gavin Griffiths.
Forwards/Centers (2): Cliff Omoruyi; Antwone Woolfolk
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.