Rutgers men's basketball receives 1st commitment in 2025 class with big man Gevonte Ware
It will be hard for Rutgers men's basketball head coach Steve Pikiell to top his 2024 recruiting class. The ball is now rolling to try to do it, though, as the Scarlet Knights have received their first class of 2025 commitment, with three-star Gevonte Ware announcing his decision Monday afternoon.
Ware is a 6-foot-9, 235-pound big man out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to committing to Rutgers, he fielded offers from more than 15 other schools, including some other high major programs such as Alabama, Nebraska and Tennessee. Ultimately, he was deciding between Wake Forest, Duquesne and the Knights. Ware took an official visit to the Banks in early September which is what seemingly sealed the deal as he now announces his decision approximately two weeks later.
Since joining Rutgers, assistant coach Marlon Williamson has been on a tear on the recruiting trails. Ware's commitment is yet another example of this, as Williamson reportedly led the way in bringing Ware to the Banks.
The first thing that jumps off the page with Ware is his size and physicality. With his frame, he looks like he belongs on the football field.
"Football was my first sport, so I like the contact," Ware said. "Sports is about physical contact. And physical contact also has competitiveness in it. The stronger man wins."
Ware's aggressiveness translates to monstrous rebounding skills on both ends of the floor. He displays a pretty soft touch when finishing around the rim and can even step out for a jump shot here and there. His physical offensive style should translate well to the next level as a college big man, especially in the Big Ten.
His game shows shades of another recent Knights recruit, freshman center Lathan Sommerville. Sommerville has a bit more size, weighing in at 275 pounds, but both players display similar bruising playstyles. Defensively, Ware has some versatility for a player his size and should fit into Pikiell's schemes.
Ware marks the first 2025 commitment of many, as Pikiell and his staff have lined up numerous visits with other highly touted recruits.
Below are some other 2025 recruits who currently have official visits lined up with the Knights or have already visited.
Four-star small forward Kelvin Odih and four-star point guard Lino Mark each visited this past weekend. Odih has recently trimmed down his college list to just six schools, while Mark is down to eight — each including Rutgers.
An official visit is reportedly in the works for three-star shooting guard Kaden Powers, who received a scholarship offer from the Knights in July.
Perhaps the most exciting 2025 prospect on Pikiell's list is four-star shooting guard Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Kiyan Anthony is down to six schools, including Rutgers, and has an official visit to the Banks scheduled for October.
Ware's commitment is exciting for Knights fans and, in all likelihood, is just the beginning.
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