Rutgers transfer center Cliff Omoruyi to visit Alabama
Rutgers transfer center Cliff Omoruyi will take a visit to Alabama this weekend, On3’s Joe Tipton has learned. Omoruyi is one of the best available players in the NCAA transfer portal, with head coach Nate Oats getting his shot to host at the big man in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama’s run to the Final Four was a historic one for the program, reaching it for the first time in school history.
They did so without a traditional rim protector though, with both Grant Nelson and Nick Pringle playing the five at times. However, Nelson may be gone after declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility while Pringle entered the transfer portal himself. If Nelson keeps his name in the draft, true freshman Aiden Sherrell and likely returning forward Mohamed Wague will be the only two players on the roster 6-10 or taller.
Omoruyi would be a big addition for the Crimson Tide, filling a void they needed all last season despite the NCAA Tournament success. He averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game this season for Rutgers this past season.
Per the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings, Omoruyi is the No. 7 player to enter the portal at this point of the cycle. His ranking rises to No. 2 when talking about uncommitted players though, with FAU’s Johnell Davis being the only player higher.
Oats is looking for a true center to add to the roster and not many better out there at the current moment than Omoruyi.
As for other visits Omoruyi has set up — the Rutgers transfer will be at Kansas State on Wednesday per Tipton, listening to Jerome Tang‘s pitch. Georgetown has also hosted the center, looking to keep him on the East Coast.
Cliff Omoruyi could complement guard-heavy transfer class for Alabama
Unsurprisingly, Alabama’s transfer portal class thus far has been guard-heavy. Three new guys will be in Tuscaloosa next season, all coming from different levels of college basketball from a season ago.
The most high-profile addition is former Auburn guard Aden Holloway, making a move not many in the state could ever imagine. Not too many kind words will be said to Holloway when Alabama returns to Neville Arena. But he will be hoping to silence them by improving during his sophomore season.
USF‘s Chris Youngblood might be the most exciting commit, shooting 41.6% from three last season. He will wrap up his eligibility with Alabama.
Houston Mallette will as well, coming in via Pepperdine. It’s no shock that Oats loves a consistent three-point shooter, with Mallette being 41.5% from deep during the 2023-2024 season.