After an offseason full of change, Rutgers men’s basketball preparing for 2023-2024 campaign
For Rutgers basketball, a lot has changed over the last few months. Key pieces such as Cam Spencer and Paul Mulcahy entered the transfer portal, and Caleb McConnell said goodbye to Piscataway. While they all played an important role, the Scarlet Knights are shifting their focus to the 2023-2024 campaign.
The roster will feature many new faces, including Jamicheal Davis, Derek Simpson, and Gavin Griffiths. The trio should add a boost offensively which will be vital in the Big Ten. For head coach Steve Pikiell it will be an important season after Rutgers missed the NCAA Tournament last year.
Pikiell will have talented upperclassmen to lean on in Clifford Omoruyi and Aundre Hyatt, who took his game to another level during the 2022-2023 campaign. That duo should make life harder for opponents when they take on Rutgers.
While the season is still months away, fans in Piscataway could have a fun winter in store. This team has the chance talent to make things interesting and has been shaped by six moves in particular.
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Cliff Omoruyi returns
In an offseason that has been full of change, Rutgers let out a sigh of relief when Clifford Omoruyi announced he was returning for his senior season. During the 2022-2023 campaign, the talented center averaged a career-high 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. As he was a force on the boards, Omoruyi was a bright spot. He will be looking to take his game to another level during the 2023-2024 campaign.
Landing Noah Fernandes in the portal
The Rutgers roster got a significant boost in April with the addition of Noah Fernandes from the transfer portal. The Massachusetts native shot 45.2 percent from three-point range last season at UMass Amherst and averaged a team-high 13.4 points per game. While battling injuries, Fernandes shot 48 percent from the field. With Cam Spencer now at UConn, Fernandes will get plenty of opportunities to make an impact offensively.
Four-star Gavin Griffiths arrives on campus
To the surprise of many, Rutgers was able to beat out UConn in landing Four-Star recruit Gavin Griffiths. Griffiths is Rutger’s highest-rated prospect in the 2023-2024 class and the top prospect in Connecticut. He was named the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council player of the year in 2023 after averaging 14 points a game during his Junior season. On a team that was known for its defense last year, Griffiths offense will be a welcomed addition.
Cam Spencer leaves for UConn
The biggest change to the Rutgers roster was the departure of Cam Spencer. Last season he was the team’s leading scorer and was dangerous from the three-point range. He also came through in clutch situations and provided a spark at both ends of the court. While replacing Spencer’s production will be no easy task, he should be a perfect fit at UConn.
Paul Mulcahy leaves via the transfer portal
After losing Spencer, the Scarlet Knights saw another guard depart in Paul Mulcahy. The New Jersey native tested the NBA Draft waters before pulling out and entering the transfer portal. In his four years at Rutgers, Mulcahy averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 assists a game. While he battled injuries last year, he was a solid contributor when healthy.
Rutgers has momentum on the recruiting trail
As Rutgers kept their focus on the present, they have continued to build for the future over the last few months. That included the addition of Lathan Sommerville to the 2024 recruiting class. Rutgers also added a talented forward in Bryce Dortch. The additions of Sommerville and Dortch have created excitement for the impact they will make when they arrive on campus.
