Tyson Acuff became the first player this offseason to join Rutgers basketball via the transfer portal. He is coming off a productive 2023-2024 season with the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
In 27 games, the Detroit native averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game and was among the top-10 scorers in the nation. He also shot 43.3 percent from the field while seeing an increase in playing time. Acuff will be a valuable addition to a Rutgers team that struggled to score at times during the 2023-2024 campaign. The talent guard ranked eighth nationally in points per game last year.
Although Rutgers will welcome a highly regarded recruiting class into the fold in just a few months, the roster will look very different. Over the last few weeks, Clifford Omoruyi, Gavin Griffiths, Derek Simpson, and Mawot Mag entered the transfer portal. The addition of Acuff should help make up for some of the veteran leadership that is leaving.
OFFICIAL: Tyson Acuff has committed to Rutgers University. He will enter his Senior year in New Jersey, having ranked 8th nationally in average points scored per game at the D1 level (21.7 PPG). pic.twitter.com/hrDSD1OJE3
— Prestige Management Group (@PrestigeMgmtLLC) April 1, 2024
Additionally, Rutgers has a unique connection to Acuff. He is the older cousin of five-star guard Darius Acuff, a target for Rutgers in the 2025 class.
While Acuff’s role is still to be determined, he will be a valuable piece. The former Eagle provides Rutgers with a veteran scoring option as the program enters a season with high expectations.