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Alabama lands impact big man from Rutgers out of transfer portal
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Alabama has made a big-time pickup in the transfer portal.
Clifford Omoruyi, a big man from Rutgers, announced his commitment to Nate Oats’ program on social media Sunday.
#RollTide #Committed pic.twitter.com/Sf2fW6dJ3E
— Bigcliff77 (@wizcliff77) May 5, 2024
Omoruyi committed to UA over Georgetown, Kansas State and North Carolina. Joe Tipton, a college basketball recruiting insider for On3, shared that Omoruyi turned down a $2 million NIL offer to instead play for Alabama.
I was told this morning that Cliff received a $2 million NIL offer from a school while going through the portal process.
And it was not from Alabama. https://t.co/s1eox6mRsQ
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 5, 2024
Alabama insider Tony Touskalas of Rivals also shared that North Carolina offered more for Omoruyi in NIL, but Alabama won out.
I have actually heard that UNC’s NIL package was higher than Alabama’s. Omoruyi’s decision to commit to Alabama was not money-related. https://t.co/LwSbHS90WU
— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) May 5, 2024
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What Alabama is getting in Omoruyi
The 6-11, 240-pound big man was a multi-year starter at Rutgers. Omoruyi played in 121 games over four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, making 104 starts.
Omoruyi’s career numbers have him averaging 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He came closest to a double-double average in 2022-23 with 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per outing. Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in the 2023-24 campaign.
While Omoruyi has 1,251 career points to his name, his defense is also hyped. Omoruyi has earned the reputation of being a standout rim protector.
Omoruyi has 221 career blocks, including 93 last season. Last season, Omoruyi had 10 games of at least 4 blocks, 3 games of at least 7 blocks and at least 2 blocks in all but 8 games. He became the first Big Ten player with 8 or more blocks in multiple conference games during a season since 1999-2000.
— bballvids (@bballvids11) April 17, 2024
Putting the pieces together for another special season
Alabama reached the Final Four for the first time in program history this year. With the roster Nate Oats is assembling, UA could make it back-to-back Final Fours.
Mark Sears is currently testing the NBA Draft waters. If he returns, the Tide is absolutely loaded for another special season.
UA is already set to return Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell and Jarin Stevenson. Oats has done work in the portal, with Omoruyi being the fourth transfer.
If Sears returns, Alabama should be the preseason favorite in the SEC.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
