Bama includes All-Big Ten center Omoruyi through portal

Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff WriterMay 5, 2024, 01:14 PM ET

Close

• Basketball recruiting expert.
• Signed up with ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi revealed

  his dedication to Alabama on Sunday, giving the Crimson Tide among the very best interior protectors in the country and strengthening them as a top-five group for next season.Omoruyi selected Nate Oats ‘program over North Carolina, Kansas State and Georgetown.Despite a down

  season for the Scarlet Knights, Omoruyi, a 6-foot-11 center from Nigeria, was the anchor for one of the very best defensive groups in the country. He made All-Big Ten honors and conference All-Defensive Group choices in each of the previous 2 seasons. He balanced 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds this previous season, while ranking 3rd nationally with 2.9 blocks per game.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated He tallied nine double-doubles, including 19 points and 15 boards against Michigan and 14 points and 15 rebounds versus Nebraska. He likewise chose 22 points and 9 rebounds in a loss to Illinois in January.Omoruyi had his most productive project as a junior in 2022-23, balancing 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds, while obstructing 2.1 shots.Oats has now fixed one of the few issues on his lineup, with Omoruyi prepared to enter

  the center position and safeguard the rim. Alabama has actually refilled in the transfer website and on the recruiting path, including transfers Chris Youngblood( South Florida), Aden Holloway( Auburn )and Houston Mallette( Pepperdine), while likewise bringing in a top-five recruiting class that consists of forwards Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell and point guard Labaron Philon.Starters Grant Nelson (11.9 points per game)and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 points)return from last year’s team.If All-American and leading scorer Mark Sears opts to withdraw from the NBA draft and go back to Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide need to make a strong case for preseason No. 1. Sears has until May 29 to decide.