Is there any news of hoop players for 2025 visiting?

[Lawboy]

Has the Bosnian guard committed elsewhere and if not are we getting a visit? Do you think we have to go Juco for scorers or will we have enough NIL to afford two proven four stars.

We have the basis of a winning team next if we can keep Grant and Sommerville. If Jeremiah comes back he will have a chance to start at the point. I expect Manny and Dortch to also return. I think Jordan and Jamichael need to drop down a level to be successful. If we have 4-5 coming back and with 4-5 frosh we just need two four star
portals to turn things around. If he does not, hoops will degenerate rapidly because the Rutgers fan base does not support are teams with their wallets.

We allegedly lost a couple of players we really wanted due to insufficient NIL. If Pike does not want to go around and find the money, he has to hire someone who will.

If Abe Suydam were still alive and healthy, he would have been that individual. When Tom Young went into recruits houses to sell the family on Rutgers, Abe was the individual that went with him. Abe was the salesman who sold Rutgers and Tom to the family.

 

[NickRU714]

I believe 2025 freshman recruiting is completed.
We have 4 recruits signed.

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The definitive source for all Rutgers news.

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[whofrewdatmataRU13]

Jeremiah at the point..... yeah no.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

TOS currently has updated their rankings, which is currently #27th overall.

Lino Mark 125 4*
Chris Nwuli 130 4*
Gevonte Ware 189 3*
Kaden Powers 231 3*

For 2024, Sommerville finished at 118, Dortch at 162 and Dylan Grant 190 with Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper 2 & 3.....class was rated 9th overall.

For 2023, Gavin Griffiths was #67, JaMicheal Davis and Emmamuel Ogbole were unrated.....class was rated #69th overall.

In 2022 Derek Simpson, Antione Woolfork and Antonio Chol were all unrated and the class was rated #100 overall.

In 2021 Jalen Miller was rated #198 & the class was rated #104th overall.

If the staff continues the trend of picking up quality HS kids and restocks the depth on the roster, RU will return to being a NCAA tourney team most seasons. The gaps from 2021 to 2023 filled in with some transfers like Aundre Hyatt and Cam Spencer, but Hyatt was a multi year contributor, so I would rate his impact more along the lines of a HS recruit, since he played 3 seasons at RU, vs the 1 year rentals like Spencer, Austin Williams, Noah Fernandes, etc.

I think there are other options beyond the Bosnian guard for 2025 that I would be more interested in, but we need a boost of depth that sticks around for more than 1 season via the portal.

 

[ImBadRU]

JW as a starting point is a joke...he is useless, careless, and does not care
Grant sure
Sommerville sure, who knows if he stays after this shite season
I kinda hope Pike hangs it up bc he cannot compete in the new world.

 

[stribucher]

How much do we trust Pike after last 2 seasons of failure? He was not prepared when Cam and Paul transferred out last minute. This year, he did not fill out roster with competent players around Ace and Dylan which is an absolute crime. Sadly, my commitment to this coach is waning. I plan on giving up my season tickets as it is too much of a time commitment and hassle to go to games that give me little pleasure. I will still watch on TV but this is been a disastrous 2 years as the coach has burned nearly all of the goodwill of getting us out of the gutter.

 

[RedTeam1994]

….Also I think dercack has a place at this level if he/staff fine tune what he does on the floor.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I am not going to complain about portal pick ups when in most cases, it is a cash decision and RU doesn't thrive in bidding wars with other wealthy fanbases.

The complaints about picking up JWill or Derkack are fine for fans expecting better, but for every Derkack, there's a Spencer and for every JWill or Noah Fernandes (who I think played to his talent level), there's a multi-year pick up like Aundre Hyatt and Jacob Young.

MOST of the problems with the portal involves picking up a player who is jumping up a level, or someone who needs time to develop if they didn't get minutes at their 1st stop at a Power 5 level.....that portal player should be a complimentary piece to support the existing roster, not asking that player to be 10 to 13PPG or a Top 120 to 150 player out of HS.....and in MOST cases, portal kids want assurances or guaranteed minutes.

If RU does a better job in the HS recruiting like the Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue and Northwestern (yes NW is solid in HS recruiting and development), then one portal pickup when needed, is fine. It takes better evaluation and I think 2024 and 2025 RU classes are much more likely to work out, just based on the talent level across the board.

 

[MCKnight2004]

A scoring guard and a point guard who can play right away is a desperate portal need, they can def sell them on playing time. RU can’t expect Mark to lead them as a frosh

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I am not going to complain about portal pick ups when in most cases, it is a cash decision and RU doesn't thrive in bidding wars with other wealthy fanbases.

The complaints about picking up JWill or Derkack are fine for fans expecting better, but for every Derkack, there's a Spencer and for every JWill or Noah Fernandes (who I think played to his talent level), there's a multi-year pick up like Aundre Hyatt and Jacob Young.

MOST of the problems with the portal involves picking up a player who is jumping up a level, or someone who needs time to develop if they didn't get minutes at their 1st stop at a Power 5 level.....that portal player should be a complimentary piece to support the existing roster, not asking that player to be 10 to 13PPG or a Top 120 to 150 player out of HS.....and in MOST cases, portal kids want assurances or guaranteed minutes.

If RU does a better job in the HS recruiting like the Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue and Northwestern (yes NW is solid in HS recruiting and development), then one portal pickup when needed, is fine. It takes better evaluation and I think 2024 and 2025 RU classes are much more likely to work out, just based on the talent level across the board.

For the 3rd time - Jordan was the 3rd recruit brought in via the portal this year after Martini and Acuff were signed. He has 2 more years of eligibility after this one and wasn’t expected to be as big a contributor as he has been to this point this season. Nobody should be “disappointed” with him.

Acuff and Martini were the one year plug and plays that disappointed. PJ was a last ditch effort when we didn’t get anyone else and decided not to pursue a 5.

I will be surprised if Lathan stays. He’s not worth putting up big bucks as our main BIG. We need someone bigger and stronger who is a rim protector. He got what he wanted though in the end. He put up enough stats to auction himself off and earn a pretty nice size check somewhere next year.

 

[Jerseylegends]

If they didn't bring in portal talent to go with Ace and Dylan. Not gonna get my hopes up that the staff will bring in anyone worth anything this year. Just better hope lino mark, powers and nwuli are legit..

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

If they didn't bring in portal talent to go with Ace and Dylan. Not gonna get my hopes up that the staff will bring in anyone worth anything this year. Just better hope lino mark, powers and nwuli are legit..

I don’t know much about our incoming frosh recruits. I think the good news if Pike remains is that he should be able to hand pick the fringe 4 star / high 3 star kids out of high school that fit his system going forward. It’s going to get easier and easier to secure those types of kids with less competion (same as football). While the top programs will be purchasing the 5 stars and proven transfers, less and less of the second tier frosh are going to want to risk riding the bench in their first year. Too much money in NIL earning potential to be lost that way.

 

[RUGiddy777]

I don’t know much about our incoming frosh recruits. I think the good news if Pike remains is that he should be able to hand pick the fringe 4 star / high 3 star kids out of high school that fit his system going forward. It’s going to get easier and easier to secure those types of kids with less competion (same as football). While the top programs will be purchasing the 5 stars and proven transfers, less and less of the second tier frosh are going to want to risk riding the bench in their first year. Too much money in NIL earning potential to be lost that way.

I think there is an interesting parallel with Greg 1.0 as well. 06 season was amazing, but it wasn’t until 09-12 that recruiting really took off and became sustainable - there were some hiccups in the years after 06.

 

[darkcheck]

I don’t know much about our incoming frosh recruits. I think the good news if Pike remains is that he should be able to hand pick the fringe 4 star / high 3 star kids out of high school that fit his system going forward. It’s going to get easier and easier to secure those types of kids with less competion (same as football). While the top programs will be purchasing the 5 stars and proven transfers, less and less of the second tier frosh are going to want to risk riding the bench in their first year. Too much money in NIL earning potential to be lost that way.

The problem in this era is if those kids work out they’ll get poached in a year or two.

 

[ancienthooper]

How much do we trust Pike after last 2 seasons of failure? He was not prepared when Cam and Paul transferred out last minute. This year, he did not fill out roster with competent players around Ace and Dylan which is an absolute crime. Sadly, my commitment to this coach is waning. I plan on giving up my season tickets as it is too much of a time commitment and hassle to go to games that give me little pleasure. I will still watch on TV but this is been a disastrous 2 years as the coach has burned nearly all of the goodwill of getting us out of the gutter.

You joined the board last month and are giving up your season tickets? Get lost.

 

[rubs]

….Also I think dercack has a place at this level if he/staff fine tune what he does on the floor.

He needs more than a fine tune, he needs an overhaul.
I hope Pike shoots for higher level players. If not Pike has reached his apex and we will see more of the same. Actually what has he accomplished with two first rounders. Pike, in my opinion, is a poor game day coach.

 

[stribucher]

You joined the board last month and are giving up your season tickets? Get lost.

That is a bit harsh. I am as loyal as they come. It is inconvenient to hustle out of work, make hour plus trips each way, and be disappointed by a coach who institutes zero offense and cannot teach the basics of pick and roll defense. Pike is out coached by 75% of the opponents and I rather watch from my couch and pick a hand full of games to attend than commit to 15 plus home games. 6 and 630pm tip offs are really difficult but makes tv happy.

 

[RU84]

Where Pike came up short was in HS recruiting to better bridge the gap between Ron and Geo and Ace and Dylan. If he had we would have had better depth and complementary players that grew up and developed in the program instead of so many mid major rentals. Hopefully the incoming class will provide a foundation and continuity we can build on with maybe one or two plug in play transfers a year rather than relying on several.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

For the 3rd time - Jordan was the 3rd recruit brought in via the portal this year after Martini and Acuff were signed. He has 2 more years of eligibility after this one and wasn’t expected to be as big a contributor as he has been to this point this season. Nobody should be “disappointed” with him.

Acuff and Martini were the one year plug and plays that disappointed. PJ was a last ditch effort when we didn’t get anyone else and decided not to pursue a 5.

I will be surprised if Lathan stays. He’s not worth putting up big bucks as our main BIG. We need someone bigger and stronger who is a rim protector. He got what he wanted though in the end. He put up enough stats to auction himself off and earn a pretty nice size check somewhere next year.

Will also be surprised if Lathan stays. Think he is more of a 4 than a 5, if we had a serviceable center I think he would have been much better off playing at the 4 this year. Do we have a center next year?

 

[MCKnight2004]

Will also be surprised if Lathan stays. Think he is more of a 4 than a 5, if we had a serviceable center I think he would have been much better off playing at the 4 this year. Do we have a center next year?

Ogbole is only a Junior he will be back hopefully not starting

 

[ancienthooper]

That is a bit harsh. I am as loyal as they come. It is inconvenient to hustle out of work, make hour plus trips each way, and be disappointed by a coach who institutes zero offense and cannot teach the basics of pick and roll defense. Pike is out coached by 75% of the opponents and I rather watch from my couch and pick a hand full of games to attend than commit to 15 plus home games. 6 and 630pm tip offs are really difficult but makes tv happy.

It’s inconvenient for hundreds, probably thousands of Rutgers supporters. Just another troll coming out of the woodwork to bash the coach.

 

[cm_13]

Will also be surprised if Lathan stays. Think he is more of a 4 than a 5, if we had a serviceable center I think he would have been much better off playing at the 4 this year. Do we have a center next year?

Lathan may have been a 4 like 10 years ago, he’s not now.

 

[NickRU714]

Lathan may have been a 4 like 10 years ago, he’s not now.

Agreed.
Unless Lathan can start shooting from outside 10ft, he's not a wing player.
He would just be a 2nd player clogging up the lane.
Or he would be on the perimeter and his defender clogging up the lane.

 

[mikeyo]

JW as a starting point is a joke...he is useless, careless, and does not care
Grant sure
Sommerville sure, who knows if he stays after this shite season
I kinda hope Pike hangs it up bc he cannot compete in the new world.

He's not going anywhere for a while

 

[Salvi's Headband]

I believe 2025 freshman recruiting is completed.
We have 4 recruits signed.

TheKnightReport

The definitive source for all Rutgers news.

rutgers.rivals.com

Hopefully players we can convince to stick around

 

[Shelby65]

Lathan may have been a 4 like 10 years ago, he’s not now.

Yeah, 4s aren’t a thing anymore in high major ball. It’s all shooters, distributors and 5s. And since he can’t defend, he doesn’t have much upside beyond what you already see. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Yeah, 4s aren’t a thing anymore in high major ball. It’s all shooters, distributors and 5s. And since he can’t defend, he doesn’t have much upside beyond what you already see. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

He’s going to get a check somewhere. He put up the stats he needed to make it happen. Remember even Dean got 6 figures. Some team is going to pay him a decent check to be their 5. I’m guessing it will be a mid-major. I’d be surprised if Pike shells out the money he’s going to demand to keep him here. He’s not a Pike style player.

 

[cm_13]

Agreed.
Unless Lathan can start shooting from outside 10ft, he's not a wing player.
He would just be a 2nd player clogging up the lane.
Or he would be on the perimeter and his defender clogging up the lane.

Yep. And I feel like putting him on the wing would be a waste of the skills he does have in the post. You can see the footwork is there and he has a pretty deep bag of post moves. Wouldn’t make sense to me to waste that by sticking him on the wing, or to have another big in there giving him less room to operate in the post.

There’s a lot I like about Lathan on offense, and without Ace and Dylan taking 30 shots per game between the two of them next year, we’re going to need guys who can score. He’s also shooting above 80% from the free throw line as a big. Don’t know if he turns into a good defender but he is young and has enough talent on offense that I’d like to see if he can.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Yep. And I feel like putting him on the wing would be a waste of the skills he does have in the post. You can see the footwork is there and he has a pretty deep bag of post moves. Wouldn’t make sense to me to waste that by sticking him on the wing, or to have another big in there giving him less room to operate in the post.

There’s a lot I like about Lathan on offense, and without Ace and Dylan taking 30 shots per game between the two of them next year, we’re going to need guys who can score. He’s also shooting above 80% from the free throw line as a big. Don’t know if he turns into a good defender but he is young and has enough talent on offense that I’d like to see if he can.

He’s not going to look to stay here without a sizable pay check. I don’t think that’s where our money will be prioritized.

 

[Shelby65]

He’s going to get a check somewhere. He put up the stats he needed to make it happen. Remember even Dean got 6 figures. Some team is going to pay him a decent check to be their 5. I’m guessing it will be a mid-major. I’d be surprised if Pike shells out the money he’s going to demand to keep him here. He’s not a Pike style player.

Doubt it. Guys transfer down to get more PT (Reiber, Woolfolk, Simpson) at schools that don’t have much $ to give. Lathan will get enough PT here and not transfer.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Doubt it. Guys transfer down to get more PT (Reiber, Woolfolk, Simpson) at schools that don’t have much $ to give. Lathan will get enough PT here and not transfer.

It’s a different world now. BIGs can make money. He’s simply not good enough to get paid much at Rutgers because he doesn’t have a clear position. But he put up the stats needed to be very marketable in the portal.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Lathan will have six figure offers at some SEC schools, can’t see him passing that up

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Lathan will have six figure offers at some SEC schools, can’t see him passing that up

I don’t know about that. The salary cap thing kicks in right? All teams will need to prioritize. Lathan isn’t good enough to get legit 3rd party deals. Not may players will get those. Only the Dylan and Ace type frosh and clear star players. An upper class kid like Geo would’ve had an opportunity maybe just through his own branding in the area over time. Latham won’t have that. He’ll get paid out of a school allotment.

 

[RutgersChow]

Has the Bosnian guard committed elsewhere and if not are we getting a visit? Do you think we have to go Juco for scorers or will we have enough NIL to afford two proven four stars.

We have the basis of a winning team next if we can keep Grant and Sommerville. If Jeremiah comes back he will have a chance to start at the point. I expect Manny and Dortch to also return. I think Jordan and Jamichael need to drop down a level to be successful. If we have 4-5 coming back and with 4-5 frosh we just need two four star
portals to turn things around. If he does not, hoops will degenerate rapidly because the Rutgers fan base does not support are teams with their wallets.

We allegedly lost a couple of players we really wanted due to insufficient NIL. If Pike does not want to go around and find the money, he has to hire someone who will.

If Abe Suydam were still alive and healthy, he would have been that individual. When Tom Young went into recruits houses to sell the family on Rutgers, Abe was the individual that went with him. Abe was the salesman who sold Rutgers and Tom to the family.

So we're going to lose 2 of the top 3 players in the country, probably not get quality transfers after the season we've had, and have a very young team, and we're going to have a winning season next year - I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's doubtful.

 

[RutgersChow]

He's not going anywhere for a while

Pike likes to be liked. If he has a really bad season next year the boo birds will come out. On another note - we beat UCLA adding to their 3 game losing street, and we beat Nebraska to be part of, I think, their 5 game losing streak. I wouldn't expect some big turnaround by us.

 

[RutgersChow]

It’s inconvenient for hundreds, probably thousands of Rutgers supporters. Just another troll coming out of the woodwork to bash the coach.

We know you like him as everyone knows I don't. He's one of the highest paid employees in the state and he does a crap job. He deserves all the criticism he gets.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

JW as a starting point is a joke...he is useless, careless, and does not care
Grant sure
Sommerville sure, who knows if he stays after this shite season
I kinda hope Pike hangs it up bc he cannot compete in the new world.

He definitely seems to care despite his baby deer balance.

 

[Mholinko]

I don’t know about that. The salary cap thing kicks in right? All teams will need to prioritize. Lathan isn’t good enough to get legit 3rd party deals. Not may players will get those. Only the Dylan and Ace type frosh and clear star players. An upper class kid like Geo would’ve had an opportunity maybe just through his own branding in the area over time. Latham won’t have that. He’ll get paid out of a school allotment.

The “salary cap”

 

[NickRU714]

The “salary cap”

It's just a cap on direct revenue sharing with the University.

If anyone thinks "mega boosters" will suddenly stop looking to gain validation through propping up college athletics - I got a bridge to sell you.

They will continue to subsidize college athletics in all ways they currently do.

 

[RUJMM78]

Rutgers future is uncertain because of coaching ,talent and the addition of the four west coast teams.Its hard projecting that Rutgers can be ranked in the top ten B1G Ten teams which means no NCAA bid.