2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
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Jersey Number 0
Tariq Francis
- Position:
- Guard
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 180
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- High School:
- First Love Christian Academy
Tariq Francis returns for the 2026-27 campaign as one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic scorers after a record-setting debut season in Piscataway. Francis, who joined Rutgers from NJIT with multiple years of eligibility remaining, earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors after leading the Scarlet Knights with 17.0 points per game while adding 2.9 assists and shooting 41.9 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 24 times during the season.
Francis put together one of the best free-throw seasons in program history, knocking down 164 free throws — surpassing Bob Lloyd’s 1965-66 mark for fourth-most makes in a single season at Rutgers — while shooting 91.1 percent from the line, the fourth time any Scarlet Knight has finished a season above 90 percent. He also totaled 578 points on the year, the 17th-most in program history and the highest single-season total by a Rutgers player since Quincy Douby’s program-record 839 points in 2005-06. Prior to Rutgers, he led the America East Conference with 19.2 points per game at NJIT in 2024-25.
Francis put together one of the best free-throw seasons in program history, knocking down 164 free throws — surpassing Bob Lloyd’s 1965-66 mark for fourth-most makes in a single season at Rutgers — while shooting 91.1 percent from the line, the fourth time any Scarlet Knight has finished a season above 90 percent. He also totaled 578 points on the year, the 17th-most in program history and the highest single-season total by a Rutgers player since Quincy Douby’s program-record 839 points in 2005-06. Prior to Rutgers, he led the America East Conference with 19.2 points per game at NJIT in 2024-25.
2025-26 Season at Rutgers
- Led Rutgers with 20 points in his Scarlet Knights debut vs. Rider, including four three-pointers
- Scored 19 points in a win over American
- Scored 12 points with four assists and three rebounds in a win over Maine
- Scored 13 points in a loss to Notre Dame
- Scored 19 points in a loss to CCSU
- Averaged 21.5 points per game over a seven-game stretch after moving to the bench
- Recorded 17-plus points in eight games, including five of the final seven
- Led Rutgers to a win over Northwestern with 30 points, including 23 in the second half — his third 30-point game of the season
- Became the only Big Ten player since 1996-97 to record multiple 30-point games off the bench in a single season, and the first major-conference player to do so since Jannero Pargo (Arkansas, 2001-02)
- Became the third player in the Steve Pikiell era to score 30 points in a game three times in one season
2024-25 Season at NJIT
- Played in 27 games with 26 starts, leading the America East Conference with 19.2 points per game while adding 4.3 rebounds, 97 assists and 28 steals in 34.6 minutes per game
- Totaled 519 points on the season, shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 32.0 percent from three-point range and 84.0 percent from the free-throw line
- Recorded 14 games with 20-plus points
- Made a three-pointer in every game this season, part of a 45-consecutive-game streak with a made three
- Strung together five straight games with 23-plus points, including a then-season-best 24 points at UMass (Dec. 1)
- Led NJIT to a win over New Hampshire with 19 points, eight assists and five rebounds (Jan. 18)
- Dropped 27 points on 10-of-22 shooting at UAlbany (Jan. 25)
- Posted 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four three-pointers at UMBC (Feb. 22)
- Scored a season-high 29 points and hit a career-best six three-pointers in the season finale win at Binghamton (March 4)
2023-24 Season at NJIT
- Played in all 27 games with 11 starts, averaging 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, with 40 steals on the season
- Scored 399 points in 741 minutes, shooting 39.0 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from three-point range and just shy of 80.0 percent from the free-throw line
- Named America East Rookie of the Year, Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Rookie of the Year, and to the America East All-Rookie Team; earned America East Rookie of the Week honors eight times
- Led the Highlanders in points per game (14.8), assists per game (2.6) and steals per game (1.5)
- Scored in double figures 20 times and reached 20-plus points on eight occasions
Notable Performances
- Scored 31 points in an upset win over Vermont (Feb. 8)
- Scored 26 points two days later in an upset win over UMass Lowell (Feb. 10)
- Grabbed a season-high 9 rebounds, helping NJIT overcome a 22-point halftime deficit in a win over UMBC (Jan. 27)
High School
- Spent his first two years of high school at Obama Academy in Pittsburgh before transferring to First Love Christian Academy for his final two seasons
- Led Obama Academy to a City Championship as a freshman and earned First Team All-City honors
- Played AAU basketball for Rise High in Pittsburgh, and later for NJ Legacy alongside current teammate Sebastian Robinson
- Finished his AAU career with the NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit
- Considers Rutgers assistant coach and former Pittsburgh standout Brandon Knight both a mentor and a cousin
- Three-star recruit in high school per 247Sports
- As a transfer, ranked No. 394 overall and No. 65 among point guards per 247Sports
Personal
- Sells his own merchandise via stadiummerch.com/tariq-francis
- Chose Rutgers for its winning culture, personable coaching staff and game-day atmosphere
- Signed an NIL deal with Lifestyle Sports Agency on March 26, 2025
- His father is a New Jersey native who attended Seton Hall Prep
Coach Pikiell Remarks
"Tariq had an outstanding first season in our program," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "He's a tough competitor who proved to the country that he is an elite scorer at the Big Ten level. We're excited to have his leadership and experience back for his senior season."
Player Remarks
"I love being a part of Rutgers, and I am fully committed to RU," Francis said. "I love the coaching staff, I love the fans, and I love the players. I appreciate all the love the fans showed us all season. I hope next year we can get the job done and support you guys the way you support us."
Wednesday, July 01
Wednesday, May 06
Monday, March 16
Friday, March 13
