Birth Date:
11.10.2001
Seasons on Team:
1
Nationality:
Nigeria
Clifford Omoruyi was born in Benin City, southern Nigeria. He initially played soccer before switching to basketball at age 14 as he shot up in height. At 16 he moved to the United States, playing high school ball in New Jersey. As a senior he averaged 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and an impressive 5.4 blocks per game, making him a highly recruited prospect.
Omoruyi chose Rutgers, where he began to flourish from his sophomore year with double-figure scoring, intense defense, and growing impact. As a junior he put up 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game; by his senior season he was swatting 2.7 shots per night.
After four years he used the NCAA’s COVID-era eligibility rule to play a fifth season, this time with Alabama — a program that produced former Maccabi players like Buck Johnson, Richard Hendrix, and Levi Randolph. Last season he averaged 7.9 points (on 74.3% shooting from two), 6.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
