NJ.com, New Jersey’s largest state-wide publication, recently featured Cliff Omoruyi in an article outlining the NIL inequalities international student-athletes face in NCAA collegiate athletics. NJ.com’s Steve Politi outlines the injustice here.
NJ.com ranks Cliff Omoruyi the Third most important person in Rutgers athletics
NJ.com, New Jersey’s largest state-wide publication, has listed Cliff Omoruyi as Rutgers’ athletics 3rd most influential person, behind football coach Greg Schiano, and basketball coach Steve Pikiell.
In the article, which ranks the 25 most influential people in Rutgers Athletics, nj.com says “Omoruyi is the smiling face of the basketball program after returning for a fourth season — and proof that Rutgers can keep some of its star players happy in the NIL Era. After a pair of starting guards bolted this spring in the transfer portal, the Scarlet Knights face a potential slide in the Big Ten standings. It will be up to Big Cliff, one of the league’s best big men, to keep them in contention for a March Madness slot.
Cliff Omoruyi to represent Uproot Restaurant while traveling to Portugal and Senegal
Uproot, a Warren, NJ, restaurant where casual family dining and a relaxing night out with your friends seamlessly meet, has announced an agreement with Clifford Omoruyi to represent the restaurant while he travels on Rutgers’ trip to Senegal and Portugal.
Because of restrictions facing F-1 Visa student athletes in the United States, Cliff can only “post” about Uproot from outside the United States. Uproot, however, will be able to discuss its relationship with Cliff and use his photos during the basketball season.
“I have been a basketball fan my whole life and Cliff is an amazing talent,” said Scott Cutaneo, chef and partner in Uproot. “We are proud to be in his corner and can’t wait for this season, and beyond.”
Cliff Omoruyi supporting DEVCO iniatives
Cliff “Big Cliff” Omoruyi has agreed to support the work of DEVCO, a private non-profit urban real estate development company in New Brunswick.
“A resident on the RU campus, Cliff is well aware of the work DEVCO has done in New Brunswick and on the Rutgers campus.
“Cliff Omoruyi is a student athlete that exemplifies everything that’s good about Rutgers,” said Chris Paladino, President of DEVCO. “We’re proud to be able to work with him while he travels abroad representing our university and my alma mater.”
Cliff Omoruyi Featured In NIL Deal With Chips Ahoy!
Rutgers star center Cliff Omoruyi was recently in an NIL partnership with the iconic cookie brand Chips Ahoy!
“Big Cliff” used his name, image, and likeness to promote a Chips Ahoy! marketing campaign on his social media. Omoruyi promoted the brand’s Nabisco snack sweepstakes, where his followers on Instagram was given a chance to win a $250 gift card from Chips Ahoy!
Why Rutgers’ basketball star Omoruyi can only be NIL star overseas
Cliff Omoruyi Announces His Return to Rutgers
Rutgers men’s basketball star Cliff Omoruyi recently announced his return to Rutgers for the 2023-24 season. The All Big Ten Center has elected to return for his fourth season of college basketball, after exploring NBA opportunities.
The junior averaged 13.2 points on 50.7% shooting (52.9% on twos, 18.2% on threes, 60.4% on free throws), 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game last season. He led the Big Ten in block percentage during conference play (9.4%) and ranked top five in both offensive and defensive rebounding rate.
Cliff Omoruyi & 16 Handles To Host Fall Semester Party
Rutgers men’s basketball star Cliff Omoruyi recently partnered with 16 Handles, and the two are set to host their first Fall Semester Party this Friday, November 4th.
The event will be held at the 16 Handles location on the Rutgers Livingston Campus from 5pm-7pm. Omoruyi will be promoting his signature “Big Cliff Sundae” that he recently released with 16 Handles and will be ready to teach his fans how to make their own Big Cliff Sundae.
Fans can come meet Big Cliff & enjoy 16% off any 16 Handles soft serve and toppings. The event is a great opportunity for fans to meet the #1 dunk artist in college basketball before he officially beings his junior season next Monday, November 7th.
Cliff Omoruyi Named To Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List
Rutgers star center Cliff Omoruyi has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award. The award is given to the best center in the country at the end of the season.
Omoruyi was named to the watch list along with nineteen other players, including Oscar Tshiebwe, Hunter Dickinson, Zach Edey, and Armando Bacot. Omoruyi is expected to improve throughout his junior season, and will have plenty of chances while leading the Rutgers offense after the departure of Geo Baker & Ron Harper Jr.
“It’s an honor to be selected, but the work has just begun,” Omoruyi said in a statement released by Rutgers communications. “This offseason I have worked on my outside game and being able to expand the floor. I have been focusing on improving my midrange game, shooting threes, and playing great defense. I can’t wait to get started with my teammates.”
Omoruyi was recently selected as a member of the Preseason All-Big Ten Team as the hype around him continues to grow. The big man led the nation in dunks last season, and he is prepared to pick up where he left off. In an exhibition game against Fairfield on October 30th, Omoruyi racked up 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Rutgers will officially open their season next Monday, November 7th against Columbia.
Rutgers Star Cliff Omoruyi Partners With 16 Handles
16 Handles, the #1 soft serve & dessert brand in New York City, announced today its partnership with Cliff Omoruyi, the star center on the Rutgers University men’s basketball team.
“Big Cliff” will promote the 16 Handles brand on social media and will make an appearance at the 16 Handles location on the RU campus this semester. Cliff will debut his signature “Big Cliff Sundae” at the Rutgers location, which you can watch him make here.
Cliff has spent this week in Minneapolis at Big Ten Media Day, where he has been getting lots of attention on the national level. He was recently selected to the preseason All-Big Ten Team along with Purdue center Zach Edey, who called Cliff “a guy you have to keep an eye on at all times.”
Brad Underwood, the head coach of the University of Illinois Men’s basketball team, said Cliff “is the best player in our league.” Underwood continued his praise of Omoruyi by saying that he is also “the most dominant player in our league. No doubt in my mind… If I had a vote, he’d be my preseason player of the year.”
As the hype around Omoruyi grows, it is clear that the NCAA “Dunk King” is ready to take a tremendous leap in his third year on the Rutgers roster.
“I think he’s going to be one of the best big guys in the country,” said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell. Pikiell told reporters that Cliff has even improved his three point shooting, which Indiana center Trayce Jackson-Davis could only describe as “scary.”
We will get our first look at Omoruyi this season on October 30th, when Rutgers takes on Fairfield University in the Team LeGrand Exhibition Game. Rutgers will officially begin its season on November 7th against Columbia University.
To read more about Big Cliff’s partnership with 16 Handles, view the full press release here.
