Recap of Chris Nwuli's Game at the Chipotle National Championships

[NJHoops17]

This was the first time for me watching Chris Nwuli in a full game, and a few thoughts:

1. Nwuli looks to be a solid recruit for Pike and RU, and he fits the mold of the kind of player that has excelled in “Pike’s system”. He looked like one of the better players on the floor today and on Dynamic Prep specifically. Where Nwuli is in the rotation exactly for 2025-26 is TBD with incoming transfers, but he should be a consistent contributor this upcoming season and will get at least 18-20 minutes/game.
2. Offense — Nwuli’s versatile for a guy who projects as a 6’8 wing. He attacks very well off the dribble in transition (an assist or two along with a trip to the FT line). Operates in the halfcourt similar to Ace . . . he likes to move around and find post-up opportunities for mid-range FG’s and has a good release for mid-range shots. He also has good court vision for a wing and should fit well with Dylan Grant at the 3 and 4 spots. To become a true three-level scorer however he needs to become a more consistent outside/3-PT shooter.
3. Defense/Rebounding — Nwuli looks to be a solid rebounder given his size/athleticism, and he definitely has the tools to be a good defender. Main area he needs to improve is rotating on help defense. There were a couple of times he drew fouls because he rotated on help defense a bit late and didn’t have his feet set, but I think this is something Pike can easily fix in the offseason.
4. Overall I think his playstyle is pretty similar to Caleb McConnell and will be a Rutgers fan favorite if he stays at RU for all four years. Depending on the transfers brought in, I think he will be at least an important part of the rotation and may develop into the 6th man later in the year.

 

[satnom]

I will sign up for a version of Ace that shoots less, moves without ball, looks to pass, takes non-nba difficulty like shots, focuses more on defense and can average 10-12 pts.

GO RU

 

[new jersey1]

Nwuli is definitely taller with a more developed body than Caleb when he first got to RU. Caleb had a growth spurt after his freshman/sophomore year at RU. But I understand you are referring to Caleb’s style of play as an upperclassman.

 

[lion1983]

I will sign up for a version of Ace that shoots less, moves without ball, looks to pass, takes non-nba difficulty like shots, focuses more on defense and can average 10-12 pts.

GO RU

I think expecting 10-12 ppg from the freshman Nwuli is asking a lot.

I think Grant has that potential, however, with development (in particular, developing consistency with his 3-point shot and just a little driving and mid-range game added) - as a sophomore this season. Heck, just averaging 50% more minutes with the same FG%/3-pt FG%/FG tries per minute, gets Grant to 9 ppg. What we WANT is for Grant to earn those extra minutes through improved offensive efficiency and execution, and improved defense ... which would allow an increase in scoring to 10-12 ppg. Which, if RU could add the 2 types of players I want them to add in the portal, would be a nice 3rd offensive option ... something RU lacked last season, for example.

 

[DHajekRC84]

The most impressive thing I saw in the quarter I watched was his playing within the game and his flow on both ends. He looked pretty good. Let's not get over our skis yet again and start talking about 4 years in this environment is crazy.
He was also playing other high school kids and not B1G players 2-3'years older.

Liked and he looked like a player who is a solid recruit.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Well right now he’s projected as our starter and leading scorer lol

All jokes aside, I think he is a solid get, but kind of resembles a Grant clone. Def need those players. He’ll def play 15+ min a game. Also, not much of a shooter. This team is desperate for someone to put the ball in the basket, catch and shoot and 3 pointer is not his forte

 

[lion1983]

Well right now he’s projected as our starter and leading scorer lol

All jokes aside, I think he is a solid get, but kind of resembles a Grant clone. Def need those players. He’ll def play 15+ min a game. Also, not much of a shooter. This team is desperate for someone to put the ball in the basket, catch and shoot and 3 pointer is not his forte

Who is projecting that? NJHawk?

If anyone other than that is projecting that its only because RU has just 8 players on their roster at this moment ... the same projection would have Ogbole projected as RU's starting center. ... and I guess Powers as RU's starting 2G.

Based ONLY on the current roster, I guess your starting line-up would be: Ogbole, Grant, Nwuli, Powers and Davis.

I am pretty sure that is not going to be the starting line-up.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

From yesterday...

 

[seansherm]

I will sign up for a version of Ace that shoots less, moves without ball, looks to pass, takes non-nba difficulty like shots, focuses more on defense and can average 10-12 pts.

GO RU

He's not close to Ace offensively. I'd expect less than that, he averaged just under 10 this year in high school.
He's a good, fit within a team guy.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

He's not close to Ace offensively. I'd expect less than that, he averaged just under 10 this year in high school.
He's a good, fit within a team guy.

True, but he is playing on an all star prep team. He could be a 20 point scorer at a regular high school.

 

[seansherm]

True, but he is playing on an all star prep team. He could be a 20 point scorer at a regular high school.

I agree, he could, but that would be because he's just much better than regular high-school kids. These super prep teams give you a good idea of what kids may look like at the college level against high level talent.

 

[RUJMM78]

The most impressive thing I saw in the quarter I watched was his playing within the game and his glow on both ends. He looked pretty good. Let's not get over our skis yet again and start talking about 4 years in this environment is crazy.
He was also playing other high school kids and not B1G players 2-3'years older.

Liked and he looked like a player who is a solid recruit.

He was playing against the Boozer brothers who will be at Duke next season.I was impressed with his performance and expect that he will be a starter because the roster will be lacking B1G Ten talent.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Well right now he’s projected as our starter and leading scorer lol

All jokes aside, I think he is a solid get, but kind of resembles a Grant clone. Def need those players. He’ll def play 15+ min a game. Also, not much of a shooter. This team is desperate for someone to put the ball in the basket, catch and shoot and 3 pointer is not his forte

Not really. Nwuli seems like a much better defensive player. Grant probably more ready on the other end.

 

[NJHoops17]

He was playing against the Boozer brothers who will be at Duke next season.I was impressed with his performance and expect that he will be a starter because the roster will be lacking B1G Ten talent.

Yeah Nwuli definitely looked the part yesterday. I don't think he will start game 1 next season (TBD with the transfer portal additions), but he should be a key part of the rotation and maybe gets a few starts later in the season.

 

[NJHoops17]

He's not close to Ace offensively. I'd expect less than that, he averaged just under 10 this year in high school.
He's a good, fit within a team guy.

Of course, Ace was the 2nd overall recruit this year and has a rare scoring/shot-making ability. I was saying in the OP that Nwuli likes to find mismatches by posting up and using his athleticism/release point to shoot turn-around mid-range FG's similar to Ace in the halfcourt

 

[Yeah Baby]

We can't count on any Freshman to do what Ace and Dylan did. RHJ was under 8 pts/g in the BIG.

The kid Clayton from Florida averaged 7 pts/g af IONA as a freshman. That's not the BIG. If this kid gives us 15-20 minutes of scrap and hustle we should all be happy.

 

[seansherm]

Of course, Ace was the 2nd overall recruit this year and has a rare scoring/shot-making ability. I was saying in the OP that Nwuli likes to find mismatches by posting up and using his athleticism/release point to shoot turn-around mid-range FG's similar to Ace in the halfcourt

I agree with you there, but do think he'll have a tough time finding those mismatches early on at the next level. Especially since it seems like there will be no one on the team that will really draw defensive focus away from others.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I’m excited about this kid because he looks like a candidate to play the role of anchor on Pike’s traditional press. That role in particular is pretty agnostic of age and development. Either you have it or you don’t. I feel good about the chance of this kid coming in with that X factor. Forget the stat sheet. That role isn’t about lighting it up. See Mag before that injury. The role is about applying relentless pressure with length that results in turnovers that other guys (not usually the kid forcing the mistake) covert into points.

I’m not always right, but when I make a prediction with strong conviction I’ve been correct more than I’ve been wrong.