St. John’s is considering transferring to Rutgers Omoruyi Cliff.
A well-liked local player who has worn a different shade of red for the past four years is the focus of Rick Pitino and his team.
According to a source, St. John’s “will be involved” with Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi, Adam Zagoria wrote on Wednesday. The former Roselle Catholic standout will be eligible for one more year after the 2023–2024 season.
Omoruyi had a great four years with the Scarlet Knights before making his official transfer site debut on Wednesday afternoon. During the previous two seasons, the former four-star center from Benin City, Nigeria, was selected to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.
Omoruyi amassed 1,251 points, 933 rebounds, and 221 blocks in 121 games, 104 starts, and four seasons at Rutgers. During his tenure at Piscataway, he assisted the Scarlet Knights in earning two trips to the NCAA tournament, which included Rutgers’s first NCAA tournament victory in 38 years in 2021.
Omoruyi started 32 games this season and averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 51% shooting from the field.
Undoubtedly, Omoruyi’s season as a lockdown rim protector was his best yet. His 90.1 defensive rating also placed first in the Big Ten and 13th overall. His 2.9 blocks per game average rated first in the Big Ten and third nationally.
Omoruyi was selected to the media’s All-Big Ten second team and the conference coaches’ third team in 2023.
Joel Soriano’s graduation leaves St. John’s in desperate need of a starting center for the upcoming campaign. Omoruyi will be discussed as the top defensive player in the Big East for the upcoming season if he commits to St. John’s.
