Alabama men’s basketball finalized its fourth transfer of the off-season on Sunday, as 6-foot-11-inch Rutgers Clifford Omoruyi stated on Instagram that he would commit to Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.
Alabama Basketball finalized their fourth transfer of the off-season on Sunday, as 6-foot-11-inch Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi stated on Instagram that he would commit to Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.
According to 247Sports, Omoruyi was ranked third-best center and 13th-best player in the transfer site. The Nigerian spent four seasons in the Big Ten with Rutgers before deciding to change things up in his fifth year.
Last season, Omoruyi started and played in 32 games, averaging 26.9 minutes. During that period, he averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field. Omoruyi went to the free throw line 2.3-3.7 times a game and hit a mediocre 61%.
As a rookie, he averaged 3.8 points, four rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 23 games, making only six starts and playing an average of 14.9 minutes. As a No. 10 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the Scarlet Knights advanced to the Round of 32 after upsetting No. 7 Clemson 60-56. In the victory, Omoruyi had no points and three defensive rebounds in nine minutes off the bench. Omoruyi scored four points and added five rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench in the 63-60 second round loss to No. 2 Houston.
The following season, Omoruyi’s game improved dramatically, averaging 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists while shooting 62.4%. Rutgers advanced to the First Four of the NCAA Tournament that year with an 18-13 overall record before falling to Notre Dame in double overtime, 89-87. Omoruyi scored 15 points and collected six rebounds in the defeat.
As a junior, Omoruyi had his best statistical season, averaging 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. Rutgers finished the regular season 19-15, 10-10, and lost in the first round of the NIT Tournament to Hofstra 88-86. In the game, Omoruyi scored 14 points and added five rebounds and two steals.
The Crimson Tide made the Final Four for the first time in program history last season, and they hope to do so again next year with Omoruyi in the paint. The big man will undoubtedly add an exciting and much-needed element to the already devastating Alabama offense.
