Men’s Basketball’s Senior Guard Caleb McConnell Declares for 2022 NBA Draft
Mar 28 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY. N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball's senior guard Caleb McConnell has declared for the 2022 NBA draft he announced Monday evening.
McConnell announced on his social media platforms on Monday night and said he will explore the 2022 NBA Draft, while keeping his year of eligibility open.
"Caleb McConnell has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "I want to congratulate Caleb on what he has given the Rutgers program in his four seasons as a Scarlet Knight. He is an unbelievable person and has one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. He chose Rutgers and has helped our program become what it is today. I have watched him grow from a freshman to an elite defender on any level. I truly believe he is not only the best defender in the Big Ten Conference, but the best defender in the country. I wish Caleb and his family the best in exploring the 2022 NBA Draft process."
McConnell had 60 starts and 114 games played as a Scarlet Knight. McConnell is ninth all time on the RU steals list with 150 steals. He scored 718 points, had 177 assists, 452 rebounds and 33 blocks in his career with RU.
McConnell averaged 7.1 points-per-game, 2.2 steals, 2.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds this season.
McConnell became the only Scarlet Knight to win a major award in the Big Ten Conference in 2022 when he was named the 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Coaches from across the conference voted for the award and selected the Jacksonville, Florida native as the best defensive player in the conference. The last Scarlet Knight to win the award was Hamady Ndiaye in 2009-10, when the school participated in the Big East Conference.
McConnell was also recognized as a member of the All-Big Ten Defensive Team as selected by the coaches. The team is comprised of Trent Frazier of Illinois, Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana, E.J. Liddell of Ohio State, Eric Hunter Jr. of Purdue and McConnell.
McConnell had a stellar season on defense leading the conference with 70 steals and 2.19 steals-per-game. His 70 steals were good for 5th in a single season in RU history. His steals total has him tied for ninth in the nation. McConnell also led the Big Ten Conference with 43 steals and 2.15 steals-per-game in conference play. His six steals in the win over Wisconsin were the most that an individual Big Ten player had in a game all season.
McConnell had a legendary streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 12 Illinois (four).
His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03.
His unforgettable chase-down block to deny a breakaway layup against OSU sparked a 10-0 run for the team to close the game with a victory. He tied a career-high with six steals twice this season against Wisconsin and UMass.
McConnell was also selected as a semifinalist for the 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award last week. 10 players were announced as semifinalists for the award by the Atlanta Club Tipoff last month.
McConnell announced on his social media platforms on Monday night and said he will explore the 2022 NBA Draft, while keeping his year of eligibility open.
"Caleb McConnell has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "I want to congratulate Caleb on what he has given the Rutgers program in his four seasons as a Scarlet Knight. He is an unbelievable person and has one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. He chose Rutgers and has helped our program become what it is today. I have watched him grow from a freshman to an elite defender on any level. I truly believe he is not only the best defender in the Big Ten Conference, but the best defender in the country. I wish Caleb and his family the best in exploring the 2022 NBA Draft process."
McConnell had 60 starts and 114 games played as a Scarlet Knight. McConnell is ninth all time on the RU steals list with 150 steals. He scored 718 points, had 177 assists, 452 rebounds and 33 blocks in his career with RU.
McConnell averaged 7.1 points-per-game, 2.2 steals, 2.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds this season.
McConnell became the only Scarlet Knight to win a major award in the Big Ten Conference in 2022 when he was named the 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Coaches from across the conference voted for the award and selected the Jacksonville, Florida native as the best defensive player in the conference. The last Scarlet Knight to win the award was Hamady Ndiaye in 2009-10, when the school participated in the Big East Conference.
McConnell was also recognized as a member of the All-Big Ten Defensive Team as selected by the coaches. The team is comprised of Trent Frazier of Illinois, Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana, E.J. Liddell of Ohio State, Eric Hunter Jr. of Purdue and McConnell.
McConnell had a stellar season on defense leading the conference with 70 steals and 2.19 steals-per-game. His 70 steals were good for 5th in a single season in RU history. His steals total has him tied for ninth in the nation. McConnell also led the Big Ten Conference with 43 steals and 2.15 steals-per-game in conference play. His six steals in the win over Wisconsin were the most that an individual Big Ten player had in a game all season.
McConnell had a legendary streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 12 Illinois (four).
His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03.
His unforgettable chase-down block to deny a breakaway layup against OSU sparked a 10-0 run for the team to close the game with a victory. He tied a career-high with six steals twice this season against Wisconsin and UMass.
McConnell was also selected as a semifinalist for the 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award last week. 10 players were announced as semifinalists for the award by the Atlanta Club Tipoff last month.
Players Mentioned
Guard
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