Cliff O to Choose – HoyaReport

As Clifford Omoruyi became one of the most sought-after bigs on the transfer market, Georgetown reached the Final Four for the 6-foot-2, 245-pound transfer from Rutgers.

Omoruyi, who originally seemed destined to spend his fifth year of eligibility at St. John’s, has now narrowed his list to Alabama,Georgetown, North CarolineIt is Kansas State.

His recruitment has been a bit confusing, with a lot of mixed signals and uncertainty. Once again, Omoruyi was initially considered a skinny St. John’s, the guy Rick Pitino and his staff would mold to fill the void left by 6-foot-2, 250-pound giant Joel Soriano. Soriano had 25 double-doubles his junior season and then improved his repertoire by developing a more consistent outside shot and mid-range game as a senior.

Omoruyi averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, emerging as a stabilizing force defensively. He was able to block, manipulate and alter the trajectory of shots as a critical piece of rim protection. Omoruyi has also been a tall, fluid, baseline-to-baseline big mover.

He has the physicality and athleticism at his size to play in the rugged Big East marked in black and blue. Omoruyi had a 19-point, 15-board game against Michigan. He also crushed the then-No. 14 Illinois front line with 22 points and nine rebounds, albeit in a loss.

Georgetown has performed well in the transfer market and is trying to revive a struggling program that was once synonymous with national success under second-year coach Ed Cooley. The Hoyas recently lost the 6-foot-10 center Supreme Cook to the transfer portal. Thus, the demand for internal scoring and large rim protection has increased considerably.

Alabama also appears to be giving the experienced Center a big boost. Few imagined the process would last so long. The experience and battle-tested toughness that coaches want in a transfer are very evident in Omoruyi. Georgetown faltered many times last season, maintaining its lead, resisting opponents’ runs and scoring from close range. Omoruyi would improve them in several categories and provide a reliable presence around the rim and catch and dunk.

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