By ADAM ZAGORIA
UNION, N.J. — Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell, his staff and players Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker showed out at Kean University on Saturday night to show support for 2020 recruiting target Cliff Omoruyi.
Unfortunately for the 6-foot-11 Omoruyi, it was a rough night as he managed 3 points and 11 rebounds in a 56-42 loss to The Patrick School
Omoruyi is in the midst of his official visit to Rutgers where he was hosted by Harper, but left campus to play in the game. He began his official visit at Rutgers on Friday morning but then went back to RC for practice Friday.
“It was great,” he later told NJ Advance Media of his visit. “They need me and I’m gonna be a good fit,” Omoruyi said of Harper’s message.
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RC coach Dave Boff acknowledged that his big man had trouble while facing Patrick School big man Adama Sanogo, who finished with 12 points and is being recruited by Seton Hall, UConn and Nebraska. In his last two games against Sanogo across more than 60 minutes, Omoruyi has five total points.
“A lot of size over there,” Boff said. “Coach [Chris] Chavannes does a great job and we just gotta figure out a way to beat them if we get a chance to play them again.”
Uncommitted senior point guard Noah Farrakhan had 17 points for the Celtics, and Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 1 junior in the nation, went for 12.
Sophomore guard Corey Floyd Jr. led RC with 19 points.
The Celtics are now 3-0 against the Lions this year and the teams could meet again in North Non-Public B semifinals.
A native of Nigeria, Omoruyi has only been playing organized basketball for a few years and his offensive skills are still raw.
“He’s one of the most dominant defensive players in the country,” Boff said. “He’s got a developing offensive game, he makes some good moves around the rim. He catches and finishes as well as anybody and he’s just continuing to grow and develop. He hasn’t been playing that long so his best basketball is ahead of him.”
He has already taken officials to Auburn and Arizona State and sources said he’s still planning to visit Kentucky and UConn.
/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″>We’re about to tip. To recap, Rutgers’ entire coaching staff, Geo Baker, Ron Harper Jr. and a handful of their teammates, and a decent amount of fans are here to see Cliff Omoruyi. pic.twitter.com/y7Lta6SM9c
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) March 1, 2020
Rutgers on Friday announced an extension for Pikiell through the 2025-26 season, and landing Omoruyi would mark the greatest recruiting coup of his tenure.
This story has been updated.
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