2025-26 Men's Basketball Roster
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Jersey Number 5
Darren Buchanan Jr.
- Position:
- Guard
- Height:
- 6-7
- Weight:
- 235
- Class:
- Redshirt Junior
- Hometown:
- Washington, DC
- High School:
- Jackson-Reed
Buchanan Jr. joins the Scarlet Knights this fall as a redshirt junior with extensive experience in college basketball. Buchanan joins Rutgers from George Washington and brings size and athleticism to the guard/wing position. Recognized as a recipient at the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the nation's most prestigious honors, celebrating class, character and integrity in sports.
2025-26 Season:
2025-26 Season:
- Scored a season-high 15 points all in the second half against UNLV
- Recognized as a recipient at the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors celebrating class, character, and integrity in sports.
- Appeared in 32 games, starting 15, averaging 28.4 minutes per game, with 13 steals and 30 blocks.
- Averaged 10.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game, shooting 46.0% from the field and 66.3% from the free-throw line.
- Recorded 18 games with double-digit points, including three 20-point performances and five double-doubles.
- Led George Washington in scoring in six games.
- Notable Performances:
- Posted a double-double in his season debut vs. Mercyhurst (11/4) with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
- Scored a season-high 24 points (7-14 FG, 10-21 FT) at American (12/4).
- Recorded a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. North Carolina A&T (11/12), becoming the first George Washington player with three consecutive double-doubles since 2016-17.
- Achieved a second consecutive 20-point game vs. NJIT (11/18), tying career highs in assists (6) and steals (4).
- Notched a fourth double-double vs. Louisiana (11/23) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
- Shot perfectly from the field (5-5 FG, 2-2 3P) for 15 points at George Mason (1/18).
- Contributed 13 points (4-8 FG) and four rebounds vs. Saint Joseph’s (2/19).
- Delivered 14 points (4-8 FG) and seven rebounds in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Second Round vs. Fordham (3/13).
- Appeared in 29 games, starting 21, averaging 30.9 mpg, with 38 steals and 13 blocks.
- Averaged 15.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 2.4 apg, shooting 54.6% from the field and 63.0% from the free-throw line.
- Named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team and earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors four times.
- Led the A-10 in field goal percentage among qualifiers, ranking 7th in rebounding and 9th in scoring.
- Led all A-10 rookies in scoring and minutes played, becoming the first A-10 rookie to average at least 15.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg since UMass’ Tre Mitchell in 2019-20.
- Recorded 25 double-digit scoring games, including seven 20+ point games and one 30-point game.
- Made career debut vs. Stonehill (11/6), scoring 9 points with 4 rebounds in 15 minutes.
- Scored first double-digit game vs. William & Mary (11/11) with 13 points (4-5 FG), 3 steals, and 2 rebounds.
- Contributed 10 points (5-9 FG), 7 rebounds, and 5 assists vs. Hofstra (11/14).
- Posted 25 points (9-12 FG), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block vs. Ohio (11/24).
- Made first career start vs. Delaware (11/26), scoring 13 points (5-8 FG) with a career-high 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Named A-10 Rookie of the Week (11/27) after averaging 17.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 66.7% FG over three games in the Bahamas.
- Led the team with 18 points (6-11 FG) at South Carolina (12/1).
- Recorded 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in an overtime win vs. Navy (12/5).
- Scored 14 points with 8 rebounds, going to the free-throw line 16 times, vs. UMES (12/30).
- Set an NCAA freshman season-high with 38 points (15-30 FG), 6 rebounds, and 4 steals vs. Fordham (1/3).
- Earned A-10 Rookie of the Week (1/8) after averaging 23.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 3.0 steals per game (spg) vs. Fordham and VCU.
- Scored 21 points (9-13 FG) with 9 rebounds vs. George Mason (1/15).
- Earned third A-10 Rookie of the Week (1/22) after averaging 18.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, and 3.0 apg vs. George Mason and UMass.
- Recorded first career double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. La Salle (1/27).
- Earned fourth A-10 Rookie of the Week (3/4) after averaging 21.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg vs. UMass and La Salle.
- Contributed 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in the A-10 First Round vs. La Salle (3/12).
- Redshirted, did not play.
- Four-star recruit in the transfer portal, ranked #48 at small forward and #283 overall.
- Coming out of high school, was ranked as the #2 player in Washington, D.C.,and #48 small forward nationally (three-star recruit)
- Received 18 Division I offers in 2021 (junior year), including Rutgers, Xavier, VCU, and Virginia Tech.
- Four-year letterwinner at Jackson-Reed High School in Washington, D.C.
- 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year.
- 2022 All-Met Player of the Year.
- Two-time DCIAA Player of the Year and two-time DCIAA champion.
- Two-time All-State First Team selection.
- All-Met First Team as a senior and two-time DCIAA First Team.
- Averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game over four years at Jackson-Reed High School.
- Coached by Osman Bangura and Angelo Hernandez; played for Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit for three years.
- Founded Leg3ndary Experiences, a community-based organization in Washington, D.C., using NIL earnings to support youth and community initiatives.
- Hosted a back-to-school drive in August 2024, providing free supplies, backpacks, and school necessities.
- Organized the Leg3ndary Experiences Basketball Camp in June 2024 for athletes aged 8-14 at Jackson-Reed High School.
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Wednesday, December 03
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