Rutgers Basketball: 2024-2025 Roster Preview

Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell is entering his 9th Season at the helm in Piscataway, and this will be his most anticipated yet. The talent on this year’s team alone, is incomprehensible, compared to last season’s disaster. Despite finishing 15-17 last season with a 13th place finish in the Big Ten, Rutgers went hard at work this offseason to find the right guys to flip this roster inside-out, which included the addition of four transfer portal players, as well as five stud freshman, which was the best recruiting class in the history of the program. Here is a player-by-player insight into every piece for the team for the 2024-2025 season:

 

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#0 G Jr. Jordan Derkack: 

Merrimack transfer Jordan Derkack joins the team after winning NEC Player of the Year, as well as NEC Defensive Player of the Year. The Colonia native led his conference in scoring last season, and now looks to be an X-Factor player for the Scarlet Knights off the bench after making the jump in competition to the Big Ten. For a guard, Derkack is a really impressive rebounder, which helps Rutgers even more on that end. 

 

#1 G So. Jamichael Davis 

Jamichael Davis, who is the only returning player on the roster who played throughout the entire season last year, looks to solidify his role once more in 2024-2025. As a defensive pest, J-Mike will be able to guard any backcourt in the country, after impressing on that front in his Freshman year. Reports have shared that Davis has also improved his jumpshot, which would make him even more valuable than he already is for this team. 

 

#2 G Fr. Dylan Harper 

Top 3 Five star Freshman Dylan Harper is set to begin his potentially historic one-and-done season at Rutgers. Harper, along with teammate Ace Bailey, were named McDonald’s All-Americans, after Harper led his Don Bosco squad to a state title at Jersey Mike’s Arena in March. Harper will be one of the best finishers and distributors in the country. When you need a basket, he will get you one. The brother of former Scarlet Knight Ron Harper Jr. is as complete of a player as you can be as a Freshman. 

 

#4 G/F Fr. Ace Bailey

It is still remarkable that Ace Bailey committed to Rutgers. Bailey is the other top 3 five star prospect in the class, who many say has the highest ceiling in the entire 2024 national recruiting class, as he projects to be a top 5 NBA Draft pick next year. In his Senior season at McEachern, Bailey averaged an unbelievable 33.4 PPG and 15.5 RPG. Harper and Bailey will both run the show for Rutgers this season, with Bailey especially being one who can score the all at an elite rate. 

 

#5 G Sr. Tyson Acuff 

Tyson Acuff is projected to be the 6th man for this season, which may come by surprise for some people, since his offensive numbers last season at Eastern Michigan were otherworldly. Acuff will still likely receive starter minutes when healthy. The ball will be in his hands when the team needs buckets, as he has the potential to be a solid shooter and a great scorer, as he averaged 22 PPG last season, which was 7th in all of college basketball. 

 

#8 F Fr. Bryce Dortch 

Bryce Dortch has all the traits in the making to be a great defender who can score at a solid rate, which compares to former Scarlet Knight Mawot Mag. It is unknown whether Dortch will be in the rotation this season, but he has the tools to be a solid bench piece moving forward. 

 

#9 F Fr. Dylan Grant 

Dylan Grant is in a very similar situation as fellow Freshman Bryce Dortch, as both have unknown roles at this time off the bench. One thing that is certain, however, is that Grant is one of the best rebounders on this team, and has potential at the Forward position. He may even get into games for solely that ability. Both Grant and Dortch are valuable depth pieces for the team. 

 

#10 F Fr. Nate Freisthler

Nate Freisthler is entering his first season as a walk-on at Rutgers, after graduating from Pioneer High School in Michigan. The 6’9 Ann Arbor native averaged 12 PPG and 8 RPG in his Senior year, leading his High School squad to an 18-6 overall record. 

 

#21 C Jr. Emmanuel Ogbole

Don’t let the stats from last season underwhelm you. Emmanuel Ogbole may not be the best Center in the Big Ten, but he doesn’t need to be. The Center position this season, which will be shared alongside Lathan Sommerville, will only need to be able to rebound, make smart passes out to the wings, and draw fouls. Scoring is not the biggest priority, which will help Ogbole’s role. 

 

#23 G/F Sr. PJ Hayes 

PJ Hayes will give Rutgers the reliable shooter that was missing last season. Hayes, who began his career at Division 2 Black Hills State, before transferring to San Diego, will be a Three-Point specialist this season for Rutgers. Similar to Zach Martini, Hayes has also been a very vocal leader. His height will cause him all sorts of issues for opposing teams trying to defend him beyond the arc.

 

 

#24 C Fr. Lathan Sommerville 

Despite Emmanuel Ogbole being expected to begin the season as the starting Center, Freshman Lathan Sommervile has the opportunity to take over the starting role at some point in the middle of the year, as long as he continues to develop. Nonetheless, Sommerville and Ogbole will likely split time at the position, with Sommerville having much more potential down the line. 

 

#25 G R-Sr. Jeremiah Williams

Jeremiah Williams was named one of the two captains for this season, and deservingly so. Being one of the three returnees, J-Will gave last year’s squad a spark that unfortunately wasn’t able to be continued, but it wouldn't jae appended without him. He will be the leader of this team, and can do just about anything to help his team win. He is a complete team player. 

 

#30 G Fr. Peter Noble

Peter Noble joins the Scarlet Knights for his first season as a walk-on. Noble attended High School at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey. The Middletown native was teammates with Kevin Pikiell, the son of Steve. At CBA in his Senior year, Noble averaged 10.5 PPG and 1.5 SPG. 

 

#44 G Fr. Max Fradkin 

Max Fradkin, just like the other two walk-ons, is entering his first season on the squad. The Southbury, Connecticut native was a two-time captain at The Taft School, and was named 6th Man of the Year for his Senior season. He helped Taft to a 20-7 overall record. 

 

#99 F/C Sr. Zach Martini 

Zach Martini is Co-Captains with Jeremiah Williams, which was the obvious choice. Martini, a grad transfer from Princeton, has been one of the most vocal players on the team alongside Jeremiah Williams and PJ Hayes. Throughout preseason practices, Martini has displayed his team leadership skills, and a mentor for the younger players on the team. His three-point shooting ability helps Rutgers tremendously, as well as his size down low for rebounding under the basket. 

 

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This team has the highest expectations for a season in probably half a decade, if not ever. With a new Top 25 ranking in the Preseason AP Poll, this team will experience lots of highs and possibly some lows. The media seems to be split on what to think of the team, as the almost unanimous question is if this brand new team, with tons of new faces and inexperience, will all mesh together to make this the magical season Rutgers fans have been waiting for their entire lives. That question will be determined at a later date, but for now, Rutgers fans should enjoy what they have on the table right now, with the beginning of the season rapidly approaching on November 6th against Wagner. Fans can’t take this season for granted, as Rutgers likely will never have the caliber of players that compare to Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey ever again. This team has all the talent to be special, after improving on aspects such as shooting, length, and depth, but they need to show it. 

 

 

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