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In just three games so far this season, Aundre Hyatt is proving to be a valuable and emerging piece of the Rutgers men’s basketball team. The transfer from LSU has quickly settled in for the Scarlet Knights with his versatility and energy.
Rutgers has won their first three games of the out-of-conference schedule, albeit a bit sluggish and underwhelming at times. And Hyatt has been a major reason why Rutgers has been able to win three straight to start the year.
Even as he has yet to start for Rutgers yet this season, Hyatt is averaging 8 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game in 23.7 minutes played. All career-highs for the White Plains, N.Y. prep star.
“Aundre is really evolving too, he’s learning to play different spots too as we sub him in at a lot of different positions,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell told reporters after his team beat N.J.I.T. earlier this week.
“He’s a good worker, he can shoot the ball, he can get to the rim. Does a good job of rebounding, he can score around the baskets, he’s kind of unique, he’s kind of a three-level guy. And he plays with some poise, he blocks some shots, he can do some stuff.
“He’s got some emergency defense in him. I like the way he’s developed, he’s obviously going to be a nice piece for us.”
Last year, his second season at LSU, Hyatt averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as he averaged 16 minutes of action.
In the last NCAA Tournament, he helped key LSU’s opening round win over Stony Brook with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes. In their second round loss to Michigan, he had two points in 24 minutes.
Rutgers beat N.J.I.T. 75-61 on Tuesday. They play at DePaul on Thursday night.
Coming out of high school, Hyatt was ranked a three-star and the No. 360 player in the nation according to 247 Sports.