Tag: Rutgers basketball recruiting

Former Rutgers recruiting target C.J. Roberts enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target C.J. Roberts has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should target him again.

The NCAA basketball transfer portal continues to bustle. One of the top 35  point guards overall and top 15 in Texas from the class of 2017 is a free agent. C.J. Roberts from North Richland Hills, TX officially entered the transfer portal last week.

Roberts was a key contributor to the Aggies’ run to the WAC Tournament Championship game as a junior, averaging 6.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 2020-21. Roberts scored in double figures six times for New Mexico State University.

A three-star shooting guard in the 247Sports Composite, this is the second time Roberts has entered the portal. Out of high school, he originally committed to and signed a letter of intent to play for the Missouri Tigers in November of 2016. He spent time at two different junior colleges, receiving Second-Team All-NTJCAC honors before enrolling at New Mexico State in June of 2020.

After playing in 20 games as a junior, Roberts transferred to Lamar. He never appeared in a game for the Cardinals prior to re-entering the portal.

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Roberts was rated as a four-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals coming out of high school. As a prep, he collected three All-District awards. He averaged 22.5 points per game during his junior season and 25 points per game during his senior season.

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Head coach Steve Pikiell has gotten the best out of players during his entire tenure at Rutgers and he currently has the need to find ways to fill the scoring holes left from last season’s departing players. Add in his affinity for strong leadership, and Roberts and Rutgers could make a strong union.

Former Rutgers recruiting target Akok Akok enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target and UConn Husky Akok Akok. has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should take another look at him

One of the top 100 recruits overall and the No. 2 recruit in Connecticut from the class of 2018 is a free agent as Akok Akok officially entered the transfer portal last week.

Standing at six-foot-ten with great mobility coming out of high school, it is no surprise that many programs were interested in Akok’s services. He saw offers from Rutgers, Louisville, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Georgetown, and Pittsburgh. UConn head coach Kevin Ollie and Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim both paid Akok a visit prior to him making his final decision.

The Putnam, CT native entered the portal one day after former UConn teammate Corey Floyd Jr. did the same.

A four-star power forward in the 247Sports Composite, Akok was a major player for the Huskies in his freshman season but has had to fight for time since after tearing his Achilles just seven games into his sophomore season.

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He committed to UConn in December of 2018. Akok averaged 5.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.2 blocks in what was his true freshman season prior to the injury.

 

The middle is strong for Rutgers, anchored by Cliff Omoruyi. That being said, head coach Steve Pikiell has done so much to get the best out of players and Omoruyi’s strength and transformation is in part a testament to the training staff at Rutgers.

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If Akok wants to rediscover that spark he showed as a freshman without the pressure to lead the way down low, Rutgers might be the best destination for him.

Former Rutgers recruit Corey Floyd Jr. enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target and UConn Husky Corey Floyd Jr. has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should take another look at him

One of the top 25 shooting guards and top 100 recruits overall from the class of 2021 has entered the transfer portal. Former UConn Huskies guard Corey Floyd Jr. officially entered the portal last week. He is a native of Roselle, New Jersey.

A four-star combo guard in the 247Sports Composite, Floyd actually enrolled at UConn early and redshirted for the Huskies this past season. He committed to UConn in July of 2021. The freshman has four years of eligibility remaining.

Rutgers was officially the first program to extend Floyd an offer when he was still in high school. The Roselle Catholic alum received offers from some major programs including Auburn, Florida, Miami, Wake Forest, and Villanova.

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As a senior in high school, Floyd averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists to lead Roselle to a No. 3 ranking in the N.J.com Top 20. Rutgers was originally part of his final seven schools.

Rutgers has lost some strength at the guard position and will need scoring depth with the departures of Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker. If head coach Steve Pikiell can bring Floyd in, Rutgers will be in a great position to build on the groundwork of success laid by Baker and Harper.

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