The first big piece of incoming news for Rutgers basketball this offseason landed on Thursday with the commitment of Noah Fernandes. The point guard commits to Rutgers out of the transfer portal having spent the last three years at UMass.
There is a belief within the program that Fernandes can fit on the floor at the same time with Derek Simpson and Paul Mulcahy (were he to return), giving Rutgers three dynamic players with the ball in their hands. But Fernandes clearly steps into a role with Rutgers where he will see starting minutes, giving the Scarlet Knights a solid ball distributor who has the ability to score.
Last season, he scored 13.4 points per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field.
NEWS: UMass transfer Noah Fernandes has committed to Rutgers, he tells @On3sports.
Shot 45.2% from three and 48% from the field this season. Averaged 13.4 PTS, 2.5 REB, and 4.1 AST.
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For Rutgers, the fit is clear as Fernandes gives the Scarlet Knights a reliable point guard who can score. For a team that struggled shooting the ball last year, the addition of the 5-foot-11 guard should help matters on the offensive end of the court.
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His field goal percentage (48.0 percent) as well as his 3-point shooting percentage (43.5 percent) were all career highs.
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