Alabama lands impact big man from Rutgers out of transfer portal
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.
Oats is a master at this whole basketball thing. Bama is about to be preseason top 5, maybe top 3. One of the better rosters we have ever had. Building on that FF. Tide Hoops is here to stay.
Rat poison.
shared that Omoruyi turned down a $2 million NIL offer to instead play for Alabama……
LOL
Sure he did…
It might be easier to turn down big money in college bb than CFB.
Dunno. I know UNC threw some numbers at him and he opted for Bama. Very curious choice – not sure we can completely buy into CNO since he has hardly done anything at Bama LOL
I can’t argue that point, he is a very good coach.
But NO WAY did the kid pass an 2M “just to play” for Oats. Bama NIL collective had to pony up something…just sayin
Maybe he got $1.7 million and a chance to play for a good coach. It is plausible that he made a business decision like all college sports do today. Glad to see you are so interested in Bama basketball. Everybody knows why.
Leg. Let me translate your post for you. The post is your opinion. The fact he picked Alabama is a fact. You are either lost or confused in between those two things.
So then, luvie…in your opinion this kid gave up a couple million to come play for Bama for just room and board? Sounds reasonable, carry on ol boi,
I am not really into basketball that much LH but it is funny to see how much you are. Nobody knows how much Bama offered but it is a fact he turned down $2 million from a blueblood program to play at Bama and no matter how much Bama offered if is unlikely to be $2 million or more and Bama is a long way from a blueblood in basketball. Is funny to see that even Bama basketball controls you.
Leg. Don’t be so defensive. Sure the guy got a good deal. Probably close to the $2mil but maybe a little under. The guy has one year left so winning is very important, so other factors than money brought him to Alabama. Look at some of the Kentucky players that are following Calipari to Arkansas. I am sure Kentucky basketball is much more funded for NIL deals than Arkansas Basketball. With some of these transfers especially the ones with only one year left. More than money comes into play.