Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
Clifford Omoruyi on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watchlist
Oct 28 | Men's Basketball
Junior recognized by Basketball HOF
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's basketball's Clifford Omoruyi has been chosen as a member of the watch list for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given to the best center in the country.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the top 20 watch list members for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Center Forward of the Year Award on Friday.
Omoruyi was one of the most improved players on the 2021-22 roster last season. The seven-foot center entered the NCAA Tournament last season leading the country in dunks. Omoruyi averaged career-highs in points (11.9) and rebounds (8.2) last season.
Omoruyi was selected to the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Preseason Team earlier this month. Omoruyi's ascension to one of the best centers in the Big Ten was outstanding as a sophomore. In half the minutes played during his freshman year he averaged 3.8 points-per-game and four rebounds.
"It's an honor to be selected, but the work has just begun," Omoruyi said. "This offseason I have worked on my outside game and being able to expand the floor. I have been focusing on improving my midrange game, shooting threes, and playing great defense. I can't wait to get started with my teammates."
This list will be narrowed down to 10 in late January and then 5 finalists will be selected in late February that will be presented to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the selection committee. The winner of this award will be presented on a to be determined date. Presentation details will be announced at a later date.
Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward Award, in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
Rutgers guard/forward Caleb McConnell was selected to the 20-player watch list for the 2023 Julius Erving Award given to the nation's best small forward on Wednesday.
Previous winners of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award are Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky (2022), two-time winner Luka Garza, Iowa (2020-21), Ethan Happ, Wisconsin (2019), Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2018), Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga (2017), Jakob Poeltl, Utah (2016) and Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin (2015).
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for legendary coach and Hall of Famer John Wooden at the University of California-Los Angeles from 1966-1969. He is a three-time NCAA Champion who earned numerous accolades including three-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player, three-time National College Player of the Year and three-time Consensus First-Team All-American (1967-1969). As a professional, Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA Champion, six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 19-time NBA All-Star and the league's all-time leading scorer. In 2021, the NBA created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, which honors players who are making strides in the fight for social justice.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophall and #KareemAward or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Candidates*
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the top 20 watch list members for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Center Forward of the Year Award on Friday.
Omoruyi was one of the most improved players on the 2021-22 roster last season. The seven-foot center entered the NCAA Tournament last season leading the country in dunks. Omoruyi averaged career-highs in points (11.9) and rebounds (8.2) last season.
Omoruyi was selected to the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Preseason Team earlier this month. Omoruyi's ascension to one of the best centers in the Big Ten was outstanding as a sophomore. In half the minutes played during his freshman year he averaged 3.8 points-per-game and four rebounds.
"It's an honor to be selected, but the work has just begun," Omoruyi said. "This offseason I have worked on my outside game and being able to expand the floor. I have been focusing on improving my midrange game, shooting threes, and playing great defense. I can't wait to get started with my teammates."
Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will open on Friday, October 28 so your fans can vote for their favorite players in each of the three rounds. Please help promote the fan voting to your fan base through your social media channels. The top 10 player selections from the fan vote will get an additional vote towards making the next round.Cliff Omoruyi (@wizcliff77) has B1G goals for the upcoming season‼️🛡️⚔️
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 17, 2022
2022-23 season preview with Big Cliff: pic.twitter.com/K0gGOMjPsR
This list will be narrowed down to 10 in late January and then 5 finalists will be selected in late February that will be presented to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the selection committee. The winner of this award will be presented on a to be determined date. Presentation details will be announced at a later date.
Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward Award, in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
Rutgers guard/forward Caleb McConnell was selected to the 20-player watch list for the 2023 Julius Erving Award given to the nation's best small forward on Wednesday.
Previous winners of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award are Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky (2022), two-time winner Luka Garza, Iowa (2020-21), Ethan Happ, Wisconsin (2019), Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2018), Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga (2017), Jakob Poeltl, Utah (2016) and Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin (2015).
About Kareem Abdul-Jabbar⭐️Top-20 Preseason Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award Watchlist for @wizcliff77⭐️
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 28, 2022
📰: https://t.co/mhyGlV8udQ pic.twitter.com/NjOEY4iMAE
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for legendary coach and Hall of Famer John Wooden at the University of California-Los Angeles from 1966-1969. He is a three-time NCAA Champion who earned numerous accolades including three-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player, three-time National College Player of the Year and three-time Consensus First-Team All-American (1967-1969). As a professional, Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA Champion, six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 19-time NBA All-Star and the league's all-time leading scorer. In 2021, the NBA created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, which honors players who are making strides in the fight for social justice.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophall and #KareemAward or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Candidates*
| Adama Sanogo | Connecticut |
| Adem Bona | UCLA |
| Armando Bacot | North Carolina |
| Braden Carlson | Utah |
| Charles Bediako | Alabama |
| Cliff Omoruyi | Rutgers |
| Colin Castleton | Florida |
| Derek Lively II | Duke |
| Fardaws Aimaq | Texas Tech |
| Hunter Dickinson | Michigan |
| Jack Nunge | Xavier |
| Jamarion Sharp | Western Kentucky |
| Kel'el Ware | Oregon |
| Moussa Cisse | Oklahoma State |
| Oumar Ballo | Arizona |
| Oscar Tchiebwe | Kentucky |
| Osun Osunniyi | Iowa State |
| PJ Hall | Clemson |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton |
| Zach Edey | Purdue |
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