Tag: Bryce Dortch

Andy Katz predicts Rutgers men’s basketball to return to the NCAA Tournament

Andy Katz predicts that Rutgers basketball will return to the NCAA Tournament.

After an up-and-down season, Rutgers men’s basketball has plenty to prove next season. Big Ten Network analyst and college basketball insider Andy Katz expects Rutgers to be headed to March Madness again.

Expectations are also higher due to an influx of talent that will include potential stars in [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag], [autotag]Lathan Somerville[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag].  Katz expects the Scarlet Knights to make a March Madness appearance for the first time since 2022.

There certainly is plenty of transition this offseason for Rutgers as only three players from last season are projected to return. That list includes Jeremiah Williams, one of Rutgers’ best scorers. In 12 games last year, Williams averaged 12.2 points while shooting a career-high 44.4 percent from the field.

Will we see @RutgersMBB and @UCLAMBB back in the Dance next season? 🕺 @TheAndyKatz says YES. #B1GMBball pic.twitter.com/rsRBnnwsS5

— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) May 31, 2024

Although Katz is high on Rutgers, that was not the only team in the conference he highlighted. He also picked UCLA as a team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament after not making the cut last year.

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In a social media post on X, Katz highlighted some of the talent UCLA has brought in. That list includes Kode Johnson, who transferred from USC, and a talented freshman, Eric Perry. They will be led by veterans Andy Mara and Dylan Andrews. During their first year in the Big Ten, UCLA will look to make a good first impression.

 

Bryce Dortch: Rutgers basketball’s 2024 class will help the Scarlet Knights go to the next level

Bryce Dortch talks about how this class can impact Rutgers basketball.

Bryce Dortch believes that this current recruiting class will build upon the foundation currently in place at Rutgers. A three-star small forward, Dortch sees the incoming class of freshman as being a group that can help Rutgers take the next step in the Big Ten.

A 6-foot-8 forward from Brimmer and May (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts), Dortch is a pivotal piece in the 2024 recruiting class. He had a strong offer list that included Marquette, UMass, Seton Hall, Texas A&M and VCU among others.

He is the No. 147 player in the nation according to 247Sports, where he also is ranked as the No. 33 power forward. ESPN ranks him as the seventh-best player in Massachusetts.

Committed to Rutgers since this past June, Dortch has been rock solid in his commitment all the way through signing in December. Now with his arrival at Rutgers just months away,

“I’m excited about playing at the RAC and just competing with a great group of guys,” Dortch told Rutgers Wire on Sunday.

“I think the players before us have really changed Rutgers basketball, but I do think we can come in and continue that upward trend.”

His class, Dortch said, is determined to leave a mark on the program.

“Because (of) how bad we all want to run,” Dortch said. “I know that is a collective goal of ours.”

Dortch had a strong season, including a number of double-double performances that point to the continued rounding out and development of his game. Since committing to Rutgers over the summer, he has been steadfast in his verbal.

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His belief in the program and connection with the Scarlet Knights staff carried him across the finish line to signing in December.

The initial attraction to Rutgers, Dortch said, was “Because of the coaching staff and relationships I have with them.”

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“My relationship with the staff is great,” Dortch said.

“It has been solid since I first met them and has only gotten better as time has gone by.”

Why did 4-star Lathan Sommerville pick Rutgers basketball this week?

Lathan Sommerville believes in the direction of Rutgers basketball.

Lathan Sommerville made it official this week, turning his commitment into a signed letter of intent to play for Rutgers basketball. The four-star forward is certainly a building block piece for the Scarlet Knights and head coach Steve Pikiell.

He is part of a Rutgers basketball recruiting class that is the best in program history.

Sommerville was a national recruit and a big get for Rutgers at a position of need. He was ranked as a four-star recruit and ranked No. 120 nationally in the 247Sports Composite.

In May, Sommerville announced a top seven that included Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Bradley, Xavier, Missouri and Virginia Tech as in addition to Rutgers. His offer list also included the likes of Bradley, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Xavier.

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“I picked Rutgers because it’s a great program with a coaching staff and supporters,” Sommerville told Rutgers Wire this week.

“I also fit their system offensively and defensively. That’s where I feel I will progress the most.”

Sommerville is one of four recruits who signed with Rutgers over the past week. On Saturday, five-star forward [autotag]Airious Bailey[/autotag]. Also part of this class are [autotag]Dylan Grant[/autotag] (a four-star guard) and three-star forward [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag].

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ESPN ranks this class as having three signed players who are four-star recruits. This could be a program-defining class for Rutgers.

“I feel like we are really versatile and skilled. I also feel like we have a lot of potential and a lot to prove,” Sommerville said.

“We’re getting closer and closer as the time goes on.”

It is official: Bryce Dortch signs with Rutgers basketball

Three-star forward Bryce Dortch signs with Rutgers basketball.

Bryce Dortch has officially signed with Rutgers, becoming the first member of the 2024 recruiting class to officially join the class. Dortch sent in his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.

In mid-June, Dortch committed to Rutgers basketball. A 6-foot-8 forward at Brummer and May (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts), Dortch is a consensus three-star recruit.

He is the No. 144 player in the nation according to 247Sports and the No. 32 power forward in his class. He held strong offers that included UMass, Providence, Seton Hall, Temple, Texas A&M, VCU and Virginia Tech.

“Signing day was amazing, real exciting moment for me and my family,” Dortch told Rutgers Wire.

“And I’m definitely relieved to finally be a part of the Rutgers family.”

Dortch said that his focus is now turned to winning a championship before he graduates.

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Throughout this process, including during his recruitment and then after a committed player, Dortch says Rutgers has been engaged and excited to be adding him to a class that is ranked top-10 in the nation.

“Real supportive,” Dortch said.

“Coach T.J. (assistant coach T.J. Thompson) and coach Pikiell would call me and reassure me how excited they were to finally have me signed and be a part of the family.”

Jon Rothstein says that Cliff Omoruyi could be an All-American this season

Clifford Omoruyi has apparently added some nuances to his game.

Over the last few years, Clifford Omoruyi has been vital to Rutgers success. The talented center has been a force on the boards while improving his offensive game. As Omoruyi prepares for his fourth season as a Scarlet Kight, he has continued to add a few new wrinkles to his skillset.

During the 2022-2023 campaign, he averaged a career-high 13.2 points per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field. While the Nigerian native is not known for his three-point shooting, he posted a career-high 18.2 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. As Rutgers dealt with injuries throughout the season, Omoruyi was a reliable scorer.

Additionally, he will be even harder to guard during the 2023-2024 campaign. According to CBS Sports Insider, Jon Rothstein, Omuruyi has been working on his jump hooks in the paint and is an All- American candidate. That is welcoming news for a Rutgers roster that has lost Cam Spencer and Pual Mulcahy to the transfer portal over the last few months.

 

While Omoruyi will be relied on heavily, he will also benefit from an exciting supporting cast. This offseason, Rutgers added guard Noah Fernandes in the transfer portal and four-star forward Gavin Griffiths comes in as the highest-ranked recruit in program history.

If Derek Simpson is able to progress, there is plenty of room for optimism that Rutgers can return to the postseason.

 

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Rutgers target Nigel James joins LuHi basketball

Nigel James is switching program’s and joining a Long Island powerhouse.

A Rutgers target in the 2025 recruiting class, Nigel James, made headlines Wednesday night. Brian Reichert of Rivals announced that James is returning to the New York City market to join the Long Island Lutheran roster. He was previously playing for Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts.

While Rutgers has the advantage of now being close to home for James, they are not the only school showing interest in the four-star recruit. They are also competing with Marquette, UMass, St. Joseph’s (Philadelphia), Providence, St. John’s, George Mason and Iowa. The talented guard has already received an offer from Rutgers.

While the Scarlet Knights already have a bright future, adding James would provide a significant boost. Prior to this decision to return to New York, he was ranked as one of New England’s top players in the 2025 recruiting class. He is also a potent scorer who can make an impact on both ends of the court.

If James were to join Rutgers, he would be part of a program that is only months away from showcasing one of the best 2024 recruiting classes in the country. That class includes a five-star in Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey, a four-star center in Lathan Sommerville, and a four-star forward in Bryce Dortch.

It is good news for Rutgers though to see James in the tristate area, giving them greater access to the talented player.

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Rutgers basketball recruiting: Darius Adams, New Jersey’s top ranked player, is changing schools

Darius Adams is changing schools, leaving Manasquan.

Class of 2025 recruit Darius Adams is moving schools. The four-star recruit is the top-ranked player in New Jersey in his class and is a Rutgers basketball recruiting target.

Adams, who played last year for Manasquan High School (Manasquan, N.J.), announced on Thursday that he will be attending La Lumiere. The prep school is located in La Porte, IN.

He is a consensus top 50 player in the nation and is ranked New Jersey’s top player by On3, Rivals and ESPN. Adams holds offers from Florida State, Fordham, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Syracuse and Rutgers among others.

 

The 2024 recruiting class for Rutgers is ranked second in the nation. It currently has Airious Bailey, a five-star forward who is the highest-ranked commit in program history. 

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Also in the class are a pair of four talents in forward [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag] and center [autotag]Lathan Sommerville[/autotag].

Getting in early with Adams is certainly a priority for Rutgers and head coach Steve Pikiell. Being able to land New Jersey’s top player would certainly set the tone for the 2025 recruiting class.

The move of schools was retweeted by his sister, Destiny Adams, who came to Rutgers this spring in the transfer portal. Destiny was a former four-star recruit who played the last two seasons at North Carolina.

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Rutgers basketball: Four-star guard Nigel James gets an offer

Massachusetts guard Nigel James gets a Big Ten offer from Rutgers.

Four-star guard Nigel James was offered by Rutgers basketball this week as the Big Ten program looks to continue its relationship with one of New England’s top players in the 2025 recruiting class.

Nigel James – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles – ESPN

as the second-best player in the state and the No. 30 guard in the nation, James is a dynamic player who is a strong scorer with range and provides intensity on the defensive end of the court.

James is a 6-foot, 170-pound guard for Cushing Academy (Ashburnham, MA).

Offered by Rutgers in late AprilSince late April, James has been offered by Marquette, UMass, St. Joseph’s (Philadelphia), Providence, St. John’s, George Mason and Iowa.

 

Currently, Rutgers has the second-best recruiting class in the nation for 2024 according to both Rivals and 247Sports. Their class features a five-star in Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey as well as a four-star center in [autotag]Lathan Sommerville[/autotag] and a four-star forward in [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag].

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Rutgers is also strongly in the mix for five-star guard Dylan Harper (class of 2024), who made the USA Basketball team this week and has talked about potentially playing for Rutgers and being a “hometown hero.”

Rutgers is also in contention for another 2024 recruit in four-star forward Naas Cunningham (who just announced this week that he will be playing his final season of high school basketball at Southern California Academy).

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With the addition of four-star Bryce Dortch, Rutgers basketball now has one of the top recruiting classes in the nation (and might be No. 1 soon)

Rutgers basketball has a top six recruiting class in the nation.

With the commitment of four-star forward Bryce Dortch on Tuesday, Rutgers basketball made a move

A four-star recruit according to Rivals and 247Sports, Dortch’s commitment gives Rutgers two four-star commits (Dortch along with center Lathan Sommerville) and a five-star (Airious Bailey).

With the commitment of Dortch, the Rutgers class is currently second in the nation on both Rivals and 247Sports. The consensus top class currently is North Carolina, with 247Sports ranking the Tar Heels as currently having commitments from two five-star players and one four-star.

This is significant for Rutgers, as the program has never had such a highly-rated recruiting class in the modern era of recruiting services. The class has the chance to be a transformational one with the potential of adding another five-star player very much real.

Dylan Harper, the top-ranked player in the nation according to On3 and 247Sports, is a consensus five-star recruit who has Rutgers very much in the mix. He is the second-best player in the nation per ESPN.com and third overall for Rivals.

Bailey is ranked as the third-best recruit in the nation by ESPN.

Rutgers was out in Colorado this week at a USA Basketball event to recruit Harper. Assistant coach Brandin Knight was present at a practice over the weekend.

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Ranked the No. 125 player in the nation according to Rivals, Dortch is a 6-foot-7 forwad at Brimmer & May School (Chestnut Hill, MA). He recently took an official visit to Marquette and holds an offer list that includes UMass, Providence, Seton Hall, Temple, Texas A&M, VCU and Virginia Tech among others.

 

On3 is the outlier when it comes to the national ranking for the program, with Rutgers at sixth nationally in their rankings. Bailey is a five-star at On3 but Dortch and Sommerville are both three-star recruits (both are top 50 players at their position according to On3).

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Breaking: Four-star Bryce Dortch commits to Rutgers basketball

Bryce Dortch gave his verbal to Rutgers basketball on Tuesday afternoon.

Rutgers basketball got another significant piece to the 2024 recruiting class with the committment of forward Bryce Dortch.

A a four-star recruit and the No. 125 player in the nation according to Rivals, Dortch joins a class that includes five-star Airious Bailey and four-star center Lathan Sommerville.

Dortch, a 6-foot-7 forward at Brimmer & May School (Chestnut Hill, MA), holds a strong offer list that included the likes of UMass, Providence, Seton Hall, Temple, Texas A&M, VCU and Virginia Tech.

Rutgers, Temple and Virginia Tech were his final three.

“I picked it because it felt like the right fit for me and my family liked the school,” Dortch told Rutgers Wire.

“I had a good understanding of how they were going to use me in the program and I have a great relationship with the coaching staff.”

Two weeks ago, Dortch took an official visit to Rutgers, one that helped cement the Scarlet Knights as the right fit for him. He cites assistant coach T.J. Thompson as having developed a strong relationship in his recruitment.

“Communication – I heard from (their) coaches a lot,” Dortch said. “They communicated with my family and the fans definotely (did too).”

With Dortch joining Bailey and Sommerville, Rutgers has a chance at the top recruiting class in the nation. The Scarlet Knights are currently in the mix for five-star guard Dylan Harper.

Last week, Dortch said there was the potential for him to take other official visits. He said he won’t be taking any other than a senior visit to Rutgers.

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