With the 2023 college basketball season underway, expectations are high for Clifford Omoruyi. During his college career, the Benin City native has been a force on the boards for Rutgers and one of their best players offensively. Due to his play, he is getting recognition for his impact on a national level.
On Monday, Omoruyi was named to the top 50 Naismith Trophy Watchlist, given to the National Player of the Year by the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is the first Rutgers player to make the preseason watchlist since Ron Harper Jr. in 2021. While it is an impressive accomplishment for the Rutgers center, he is focused on helping his team win.
“I’m super excited for the team this year,” Omoruyi told Rutgers athletics. “Being a leader alongside Aundre (Hyatt) and Mawot (Mag) an Oskar (Palmquist) is exciting. We all want to win. We want to put game balls and trophies in Coach (Steve) Pikiell’s office. We have a goal of winning the Big Ten Championship and personally, I want to be the best player I can be for my teammates.”
THROW IT DOWN OMORUYI! 😤
Clifford Omoruyi x @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/OhyD2GDKBS
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 24, 2023
In Rutgers season opener, Omoruyi shined as he led the Scarlet Knights in points with 12 and rebounds with seven. However, the Scarlet Knights could not take advantage of his play as they lost to Princeton 68-61.
As the season progresses, Omoruyi’s play will be watched closely. The Naismith trophy watch list will be cut down to the nation’s top 30 players in February, and four finalists will be selected in March. On April 2, the winner will be announced at the Final Four.