Clifford Omoruyi has cemented himself as Rutgers men's basketball legend
Senior center Clifford Omoruyi entered Jersey Mike’s Arena on Livingston campus, holding back tears. As the 6-foot-11 senior got to the block R logo at center court with his brother Alfred Omoruyi and his guardian Muhammad Oliver to get honored for senior day, the dam broke, and tears began to flow from his eyes.
Whether it was being with his brother for the first time in four years, the crowd or the fact that it might have been his last time playing at Jersey Mike’s Arena, Omoruyi let his emotions pour out.
Omoruyi’s journey from Benin City, Nigeria, to playing basketball on the Banks has been well documented, but what has gotten buried under a disappointing season for the Rutgers men’s basketball team is the immense impact Omoruyi has made on the program.
“A blessed four years. A guy you can always count on, a guy that comes to practice every day, does what he is supposed to do off the court," said head coach Steve Pikiell on Omoruyi. “He’s just had a special career.”
A special career may be an understatement for the senior center that is known by many as “Big Cliff.” Omoruyi has the fourth most rebounds, the sixth most blocks, the 22nd most points and the fourth-best field goal percentage in Scarlet Knights history. He has been named to the Second-Team All-Big Ten once, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten team twice and the First-Team All-Big Ten Defensive Team twice as well.
He has helped Rutgers make the NCAA Tournament twice and win one tournament game, though he jokingly acknowledged that he did not play many minutes in the win.
“I was there, I played a little minute but I was there,” Omoruyi joked.
Omoruyi’s accomplishments as a Knight extend off the court as well.
“On this campus, everybody knows him, he treats people the right way,” Pikiell said on Omoruyi.
In the classroom, Omoruyi will graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a high grade point average, something he promised his mother he would do.
“It is actually a great feeling. Just being able to acquire one of my goals and also fulfill a promise I had to my mother,” Omoruyi said. “Just getting my degree is the greatest accomplishment for me. Being one of the first in my family to get a college degree, so it's special.”
So even though the Knights suffered a blowout loss to Ohio State on senior night and their season would go on to end in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament just three days later, Omoruyi’s meaning to the program and the program’s meaning for Omoruyi could not have been more clear as tears streamed down his eyes, senior forward Aundre Hyatt gave him a hug and the fans chanted “one more year!”
Omoruyi represents the true embodiment of a successful student-athlete. Looking back at his vast career accomplishments and accolades, he is a Rutgers legend, whether he returns for a fifth year or not.
“It has been a great experience just playing with these guys. They are great people off and on the court,” Omoruyi said after the Knights’ Big Ten Tournament loss to Maryland. “Just having great coaching staff around us. It's a great experience just having people who support us. Also our fans, they always show out no matter what. So I just want to say thank you for everything.”
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