Overview
Born in Nigeria, Omoruyi grew up playing soccer before moving to America at age 14 and picking up basketball. As a freshman in high school, Omoruyi was showing promise before breaking his leg. The following season, he was forced to transfer after his previous school, Queen of Peace in New Jersey, shut down. Omoruyi struggled initially at his new school, Roselle Catholic, but eventually made things work, leading them to the NJSIAA’s Non-Public B North Title while winning Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year as a senior. Omoruyi suffered another injury during his freshman year at Rutgers but had a breakout sophomore campaign, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He took another step forward defensively as a junior, earning Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. He was also voted Second-Team All-Big Ten by the media – coaches voted him to Third-Team. Omoruyi declared for the draft following that season but ultimately returned for his senior year and earned Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors again. He was granted a fifth year of eligibility due to the COVID rules and used that to join Alabama in 2024-25. In his lone season with the Tide, Omoruyi’s stats and playing time dipped dramatically, but he was extremely efficient from the field (73.4%) and remained a strong rim protector.
Analysis
Omoruyi is a ball of energy with elite athleticism just waiting to be unleashed. Offensively, he’s a great lob threat and attacks the glass for easy putbacks. Defensively, Omoruyi displays elite instincts and uses his long wingspan to disrupt opposing offenses at every turn.
Projection
Omoruyi has a similar skill set and frame to fellow undersized centers like Onyeka Okongwu (6-foot-10, 240), Kenneth Faried (6-foot-8, 220), Tristan Thompson (6-foot-9, 250) and Dwight Powell (6-foot-10, 240). If things break his way, Omoruyi could have a long NBA career as a defensive-minded reserve who can flip the game in an instant with energy and hustle.
— Profile by RotoWire.com