Eugene Omoruyi
Omoruyi with Rutgers in 2018
No. 97 – Washington Wizards
PositionSmall forward / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1997-02-14) February 14, 1997 (age 27)
Benin City, Nigeria
NationalityCanadian
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Dallas Mavericks
2021→Texas Legends
2022–2023Oklahoma City Thunder
2022–2023→Oklahoma City Blue
2023Detroit Pistons
2023–presentWashington Wizards
2023–present→Capital City Go-Go
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Eugene Omoruyi (born February 14, 1997) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Oregon Ducks.

Early life and high school career

Omoruyi was born in Benin City, Nigeria and immigrated to Canada with his family as a one-year-old. He grew up playing soccer and began playing basketball during his second year of high school at Monsignor Percy Johnson.[1] Omoruyi attended Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, averaging 16.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and earning Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association First Team All-Star honours in his final season. He played alongside Jamal Murray and Thon Maker.[2] He competed for Advantage Titans on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[3] Omoruyi committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers over an offer from Loyola (Illinois).[4]

College career

As a freshman at Rutgers, Omoruyi averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.[5] On November 28, 2017, he scored a sophomore season-high 22 points in a 78–73 loss to Florida State.[6] As a sophomore, Omoruyi averaged 7.9 points and five rebounds per game. For his junior season, he was named a team co-captain.[7] During the offseason, he improved his shooting by taking 1,000 shots for six mornings per week. On November 11, 2018, he recorded a junior season-high 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 95–66 win over Drexel.[8] On November 23, Omoruyi posted 20 points and 17 rebounds in a 54–44 win over Boston University.[9] He averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a junior. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Met selection.[10]

For his senior season, Omoruyi transferred to Oregon and sat out for his next season due to National Collegiate Athletic Association transfer rules.[11] His decision to transfer from Rutgers was described by the media as unexpected.[12] On December 2, 2020, he made his debut for Oregon and recorded a career-high 31 points and 11 rebounds in an 83–75 loss to Missouri.[13] As a senior, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors. Following the season, Omoruyi declared for the 2021 NBA draft.[14]

Professional career

Dallas Mavericks (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Omoruyi signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks on August 13, 2021, splitting time with their G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.[15] On December 15, he suffered a season-ending injury while playing with the Legends, and on December 26, he was waived by the Mavericks.[16][17]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2022–2023)

On July 2, 2022, Omoruyi signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[18] His contract was converted to a multi-year deal on February 10, 2023.[19] On February 26, Omoruyi was waived by the Thunder.[20]

Detroit Pistons (2023)

On March 3, 2023, Omoruyi signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons.[21] On March 13, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Pistons.[22] On March 23, Omoruyi signed a rest-of-season contract with the Pistons.[23]

On June 29, 2023, the Detroit Pistons exercised Omoruyi’s team option for the 2023–24 NBA season.[24] He was waived two days later.[25]

Washington Wizards / Capital City Go-Go (2023–present)

On July 12, 2023, Omoruyi signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards.[26]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Dallas 4 0 4.5 .400 .500 .500 1.8 .5 .0 .0 1.8
2022–23 Oklahoma City 23 2 11.8 .468 .258 .607 2.3 .5 .6 .0 4.9
2022–23 Detroit 17 4 21.9 .425 .293 .723 3.5 1.0 .8 .2 9.7
Career 44 6 15.1 .442 .286 .671 2.7 .7 .6 .1 6.5

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Rutgers 33 11 12.0 .349 .000 .625 2.2 1.0 .5 .3 2.4
2017–18 Rutgers 32 7 21.7 .473 .000 .541 5.0 1.0 .9 .8 7.9
2018–19 Rutgers 28 26 29.2 .445 .311 .714 7.2 2.4 .7 .3 13.8
2019–20 Oregon Redshirt Redshirt
2020–21 Oregon 28 28 30.6 .473 .376 .765 5.4 2.3 1.5 .6 17.1
Career 121 72 22.8 .453 .324 .674 4.8 1.6 .9 .5 9.9

References

  1. ^ Hansen, Chris (November 9, 2020). "After a year on the bench, two veteran men's basketball transfers ready for their Oregon debuts". The Register-Guard. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Eugene Omoruyi Signs with Rutgers Basketball". Rutgers University Athletics. August 9, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Hellman, Sam (August 11, 2016). "Pikiell: Omoruyi Versatility "Off the Charts"". 247Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Carino, Jerry (August 3, 2016). "Rutgers hoops adds 2016 wing from Canada". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  5. ^ "Eugene Omoruyi – Men's Basketball". University of Oregon Athletics. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Fonseca, Brian (November 28, 2017). "Eugene Omoruyi Flashes Potential in Loss to Florida State". On the Banks. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Breitman, Aaron (May 31, 2018). "Rutgers Men's Basketball Names Captains For Next Season". On the Banks. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Carino, Jerry (November 11, 2018). "Rutgers basketball: Eugene Omoruyi leads offensive explosion in romp of Drexel". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  9. ^ Carino, Jerry (November 23, 2018). "Rutgers basketball: Omoruyi, defense enough to hold off Boston University". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Carino, Jerry (May 29, 2019). "Rutgers basketball: In an absolute stunner, Eugene Omoruyi to transfer". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Schnyderite, Richard (September 24, 2019). "Eugene Omoruyi talks for the first time since his transfer". Rivals. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Kratch, James (May 29, 2019). "No, you read that right: Rutgers' Eugene Omoruyi apparently wants out in shocking transfer push". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Young, Ashley (December 2, 2020). "Eugene Omoruyi was worth the long wait for Oregon MBB". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Reubenking, Dylan (April 12, 2021). "Eugene Omoruyi Declares for the NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "Mavericks Sign Rookie Free Agent Forward Eugene Omoruyi to A Two-Way Contract". Mavs.com. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Mavs' Eugene Omoruyi out 4–6 months after toe surgery". USA Today. December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "Dallas Mavericks waive two-way rookie forward Eugene Omoruyi". The Dallas Morning News. December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  18. ^ Creider, Ben. "OKC Thunder Sign Eugene Omoruyi to Two-Way Deal". Sports Illustrated Oklahoma City Thunder News, Analysis and More. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  19. ^ "Thunder Signs Eugene Omoruyi to Multi-Year Contract". NBA. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Brandon Rahbar on Twitter: "Thunder has waived Eugene Omoruyi."". Twitter. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  21. ^ "James L. Edwards III on Twitter: "Pistons have signed Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract"". Twitter. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "Detroit Pistons impressed with Eugene Omoruyi, sign him to second 10-day contract". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  23. ^ "Mike Curtis on Twitter: "The #Pistons announce that they've signed Eugene Omoruyi to a contract following his two 10-day contracts. He'll be with the team for the rest of the season."". Twitter. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  24. ^ Pistons PR [@Pistons_PR] (June 29, 2023). "The Detroit Pistons have picked up its team options for Isaiah Livers, Alec Burks and Eugene Omoruyi for the 2023-24 season" (Tweet). Retrieved August 2, 2023 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Pistons waive forward Eugene Omoruyi". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  26. ^ "Wizards Sign Eugene Omoruyi to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.

External links

Washington Wizards roster
Capital City Go-Go current roster
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