Last March, Rutgers basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named the top defensive player in the nation by ESPN College Gameday. It is his defensive work rate coupled with solid production on offense that led to McConnell being signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder following the NBA draft.
Twice named the Big Ten’s top defensive player, McConnell is a thinking man on the defensive side of the ball, combining the necessary grit and hustle with a keen understanding of passing lanes. Offensively, he was solid last season, scoring 9.1 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting from the floor.
Reece Beekman (Virginia), Jaylen Clark (UCLA) and McConnell were the finalists for the ESPN College Gameday defensive player of the year award.
“Caleb McConnell, 6-foot-7, long arms. Eleventh in the country in steals at 2.5 a game – his versatility on the defensive end – he can guard one through four and some small ball fives. Doing a great job of getting in underneath offensive players,” ESPN’s LaPhonso Ellis said.
“He is absolutely disruptive. I love Caleb McConnell.”
Ellis is a former standout forward at Notre Dame and was a first-round pick in the NBA draft. He spent over a decade in the league.
Following the remarks from Ellis, Seth Greenberg, a former head coach who is best known for his near decade at Virginia Tech, called McConnell’s honor “a great selection.”
The @espn College Gameday Defensive Player of the Year, Caleb McConnell.🔥
(@CollegeGameDay)#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/FdGH5Lguth
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) March 4, 2023
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Rutgers went 19-15 last season, making the postseason for a third straight season. McConnell is best remembered for his game in the NCAA Tournament two years ago against Notre Dame.
In that game, an overtime class that Rutgers lost, McConnell put up a monster line.
In that game, he had 23 points with 11 rebounds, one block and one steal. He had a sizzling 83.3 field goal percentage as Notre Dame beat Rutgers 89-87.
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