The addition of Noah Fernandes this week gives Rutgers basketball a point guard who can distribute and shoot from distance. He also is a player who can hit some pretty big shots.
And Rutgers is no stranger to big shots, with Ron Harper Jr. two years ago providing dramatic game-winners against Purdue and at Indiana. Then there was Cam Spencer, who himself hit multiple late-game shots this past year for Rutgers.
Two years ago, it was Fernandes who had his own game-winning shot against Rutgers, providing a vivid moment against his future teammates. But it wasn’t the only time over the past two seasons that Fernandes was clutch for UMass:
History. Repeats Itself. @noahfernandes_ pic.twitter.com/bUDSOOIly4
— Michael Bergman (@MLBergman_) November 18, 2022
This is a legitimate, high-end pick-up for Rutgers as Fernandes does a lot of things Rutgers needs. Not only does he run the court well and play strong defense, but he has the ability to stretch opposing defenses with his outside shooting ability.
Last season, Fernandes averaged 13.4 points per game last season. He posted a career-high 48.0 field goal percentage last season.