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Clifford Omoruyi

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Clifford Omoruyi
Omoruyi with Rutgers in 2020
No. 11 – Alabama Crimson Tide
PositionCenter
LeagueSoutheastern Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-10-11) 11 October 2001 (age 23)
Benin City, Nigeria
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school
College
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2023, 2024)
  • Second-team All-Big Ten – Media (2023)
  • Third-team All-Big Ten – Coaches (2023)

Clifford Iyobosa Omoruyi (born 11 October 2001) is a Nigerian college basketball player for the Alabama Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference. He previously played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference.

Early life and high school career

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Omoruyi grew up in Benin City, Nigeria and played soccer. Due to standing 6'8, he received attention from basketball scouts who stated he could earn a scholarship overseas. At the age of 14, Omoruyi moved to the United States to attend Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, New Jersey. Muhammad Oliver, a friend of Omoruyi's brother Aldred, and his wife offered to serve as his host family. Omoruyi also began playing basketball shortly after his arrival, initially against Oliver's son and then in AAU events. As a freshman at Queen of Peace, he nearly averaged a double-double in four games before breaking his leg. Omoruyi returned in time for the state tournament and posted 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game. Due to Queen of Peace shutting down, Omoruyi was forced to transfer to Roselle Catholic High School, and initially struggled with his grades. He transferred to Immaculate Conception High School for the second semester of his sophomore season to focus on academics, playing 10 games.[1]

Omoruyi transferred back to Roselle Catholic High School going into his junior season, stating he did not wish to run from challenges.[1] He averaged 11.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior.[2] As a senior, Omoruyi averaged 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game, helping Roselle Catholic post a 22–7 record and win the NJSIAA's Non-Public B North title. Omoruyi was named the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, First Team All-State by NJHoops.com and Second Team All-State by The Star-Ledger.[3] On the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for the New York Lightning.[4] He was considered to be a four-star prospect ranked 42nd in his class by Rivals. On 29 March 2020, Omoruyi committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers over offers from Arizona State and Auburn. He became the highest-rated recruit to select the Scarlet Knights since Kadeem Jack in 2010.[5]

College career

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Omoruyi suffered a knee sprain six games into his freshman season, forcing him to miss three weeks.[1] As a freshman, he averaged 3.8 points and four rebounds per game. Omoruyi became the team's starting center going into his sophomore season due to Myles Johnson's transfer to UCLA.[6] In his sophomore season debut, he scored 16 points and had nine rebounds against Lehigh, and subsequently enjoyed a breakout season.[7] Omoruyi was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media as a sophomore.[8] He averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.[9] Omoruyi averaged 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as a junior and was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten. He declared for the 2023 NBA draft before opting to return to Rutgers.[10]

As a senior, Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, earning Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. Following the season, Omoruyi transferred from Rutgers to the University of Alabama.[11]

National team career

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Omoruyi was invited to the training camp of the Nigeria men's national basketball team in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[12]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Rutgers 23 6 14.9 .632 .500 .424 4.0 .2 .4 .7 3.8
2021–22 Rutgers 32 32 28.7 .624 .167 .602 7.8 .4 .5 1.3 11.9
2022–23 Rutgers 34 34 30.3 .507 .182 .604 9.6 .9 .6 2.1 13.2
2023–24 Rutgers 32 32 26.9 .512 .200 .610 8.3 .5 .7 2.9 10.4
Career 121 104 26.0 .549 .200 .590 7.7 .5 .6 1.8 10.3

References

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  1. ^ a b c Fonseca, Brian (9 March 2021). "Cliff Omoruyi came from the other side of the world to find a home at Rutgers, but his basketball journey has just begun". NJ.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ^ Schnyderite, Richard (15 April 2020). "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball Signee Bio: C Clifford Omoruyi". Rivals.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. ^ Carino, Jerry (29 March 2020). "Rutgers basketball: Cliff Omoruyi, star Roselle Catholic center, commits in breakthrough". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. ^ Borzello, Jeff (29 March 2020). "Rutgers lands Cliff Omoruyi, highest-ranked recruit since 2008". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  5. ^ Braziller, Zach (29 March 2020). "Cliff Omoruyi commits to Rutgers in massive recruiting win". New York Post. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ^ Politi, Steve (4 November 2021). "This 'freakish' athlete is the key to the Rutgers basketball season". NJ.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  7. ^ Patuto, Greg (6 January 2022). "Cliff Omoruyi continues to show improvement but has one more step to take". On the Banks. SB Nation. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  8. ^ "2021-22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Carino, Jerry (March 18, 2022). "Rutgers basketball: 5 offseason priorities for 2022-23". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  10. ^ Corso, Chris (November 6, 2023). "Clifford Omoruyi Named to Naismith Top-50 Watchlist for 2023-24 NPOY". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Borzello, Jeff (May 5, 2024). "Alabama lands Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi via transfer portal". ESPN. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Schnyderite, Richard (22 June 2021). "Rutgers Cliff Omoruyi invited to Nigeria Basketball Olympic Training Camp". Rivals.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
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