2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
Roster
Darren Buchanan Jr.
- Position:
- Guard
- Height:
- 6-7
- Weight:
- 240
- Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Hometown:
- Washington, DC
- High School:
- Jackson-Reed
Darren Buchanan Jr. returns to Rutgers for his senior season after a strong and impactful first year with the Scarlet Knights, bringing experience, size, and athleticism back to the wing. A redshirt senior forward/guard, Buchanan Jr. averaged 8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds per game, and shot 46 percent from the field during the 2025-26 campaign, becoming a key two-way contributor in his lone season in Piscataway.
Buchanan Jr. turned in numerous standout performances, including a team-high 17 points against Iowa, 17 points off the bench versus Washington, and 14 points with a team-high seven rebounds in a win over Maryland. He poured in a season-high 15 points — all in the second half — in a victory over UNLV, and recorded his first double-double as a Scarlet Knight in a win over Northwestern while logging a team-high 40 minutes. He also crossed the 1,000-point mark for his collegiate career during a game at Penn State and was named a recipient of the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in sports celebrating class, character, and integrity.
Before arriving at Rutgers, Buchanan Jr. had a highly productive run at George Washington, averaging 10.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 2024-25, and earning Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honors in 2023-24 after averaging 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds — leading all A-10 rookies in scoring and minutes, and posting a 38-point game against Fordham that stood as an NCAA freshman season high. He began his career at Virginia Tech, redshirting in 2022-23. A Washington, D.C. native, Buchanan Jr. was a Gatorade Player of the Year and All-Met Player of the Year at Jackson-Reed High School and a two-time DCIAA Player of the Year.
“Darren has been a tremendous addition to our program,” Pikiell said. “He’s experienced, tough, and does a lot of things that help you win. We’re excited to have him back and expect him to take another step forward.”
