On Sunday, Alabama landed a commitment from former Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi, via the NCAA Transfer Portal. After the news surfaced, Alabama assistant coach Preston Murphy celebrated the recruiting win on social media, following a string of teases all week.
Murphy posted a cartoon of himself dropping a microphone. On his arm, Murphy donned the word, “LANK.” The acronym stands for “Let a Naysayer Know,” and has become synonymous with Alabama athletics.
Murphy’s excitement is understandable. Omoruyi was one of the most coveted bigs in the transfer portal following his entrance in March, spending the first four seasons of his college career with the Scarlett Knights where he become one of the program’s most dominant centers in school history. Known for cleaning glass, blocking shots, and getting buckets are a high efficiency at 6-foot-11.
Originally a Benin City, Nigeria native, Omoruyi played his high school basketball Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, where he was a four-star recruit. Ranked the No. 47 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 8 center from the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
After starting in just six games with 23 game appearances as a true freshman, he started and played in 98 the past three seasons for Rutgers. Where he averaged 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
Omoruyi has been a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, a two time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and a two-time member of the First-Team All-Big Ten Defensive Team. Ranking No. 4 all time in Rutgers’ program history in career rebounds, No. 4 in field goal percentage, and tied for sixth all-time in career blocks.
This story will be updated.
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