Eugene Omoruyi Explained

Eugene Omoruyi
Position:Small forward / power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:235
Team:Free agent
Birth Date:14 February 1997
Birth Place:Benin City, Nigeria
Nationality:Nigerian / Canadian
High School:
College:
Draft Year:2021
Career Start:2021
Team1:Dallas Mavericks
Years2:2021
Team2:Texas Legends
Team3:Oklahoma City Thunder
Years4:2022–2023
Team4:Oklahoma City Blue
Team5:Detroit Pistons
Team6:Washington Wizards
Years7:2023–2024
Team7:Capital City Go-Go
Highlights:

Eugene Omoruyi (born February 14, 1997) is a Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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 (2023–2024)

On July 12, 2023, Omoruyi signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards[26] and on March 1, 2024, he signed a standard contract with the Wizards.[27]

On August 21, 2024, Omoruyi was waived by the Wizards.[28]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Dallas| 4 || 0 || 4.5 || .400 || .500 || .500 || 1.8 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 1.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City| 23 || 2 || 11.8 || .468 || .258 || .607 || 2.3 || .5 || .6 || .0 || 4.9|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Detroit| 17 || 4 || 21.9 || .425 || .293 || .723 || 3.5 || 1.0 || .8 || .2 || 9.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Washington| 43 || 0 || 9.1 || .485 || .283 || .653 || 2.0 || .8 || .6 || .1 || 4.8 |- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 87 || 6 || 12.1 || .460 || .285 || .664 || 2.3 || .7 || .6 || .1 || 5.7

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17| style="text-align:left;"| Rutgers| 33 || 11 || 12.0 || .349 || .000 || .625 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .3 || 2.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18| style="text-align:left;"| Rutgers| 32 || 7 || 21.7 || .473 || .000 || .541 || 5.0 || 1.0 || .9 || .8 || 7.9|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Rutgers| 28 || 26 || 29.2 || .445 || .311 || .714 || 7.2 || 2.4 || .7 || .3 || 13.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| Redshirt|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon| 28 || 28 || 30.6 || .473 || .376 || .765 || 5.4 || 2.3 || 1.5 || .6 || 17.1|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 121 || 72 || 22.8 || .453 || .324 || .674 || 4.8 || 1.6 || .9 || .5 || 9.9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hansen . Chris . After a year on the bench, two veteran men's basketball transfers ready for their Oregon debuts . . January 5, 2021 . November 9, 2020.
  2. Web site: Eugene Omoruyi Signs with Rutgers Basketball . Rutgers University Athletics . January 8, 2021 . August 9, 2016.
  3. Web site: Hellman . Sam . Pikiell: Omoruyi Versatility "Off the Charts" . . January 8, 2021 . August 11, 2016.
  4. Web site: Carino . Jerry . Rutgers hoops adds 2016 wing from Canada . . January 5, 2021 . August 3, 2016.
  5. Web site: Eugene Omoruyi – Men's Basketball . University of Oregon Athletics . January 8, 2021.
  6. Web site: Fonseca . Brian . Eugene Omoruyi Flashes Potential in Loss to Florida State . On the Banks . January 8, 2021 . November 28, 2017.
  7. Web site: Breitman . Aaron . Rutgers Men's Basketball Names Captains For Next Season . On the Banks . January 8, 2021 . May 31, 2018.
  8. Web site: Carino . Jerry . Rutgers basketball: Eugene Omoruyi leads offensive explosion in romp of Drexel . . January 8, 2021 . November 11, 2018.
  9. Web site: Carino . Jerry . Rutgers basketball: Omoruyi, defense enough to hold off Boston University . . January 8, 2021 . November 23, 2018.
  10. Web site: Carino . Jerry . Rutgers basketball: In an absolute stunner, Eugene Omoruyi to transfer . . January 8, 2021 . May 29, 2019.
  11. Web site: Schnyderite . Richard . Eugene Omoruyi talks for the first time since his transfer . . January 8, 2021 . September 24, 2019.
  12. Web site: Kratch . James . No, you read that right: Rutgers' Eugene Omoruyi apparently wants out in shocking transfer push . . January 8, 2021 . May 29, 2019.
  13. Web site: Young . Ashley . Eugene Omoruyi was worth the long wait for Oregon MBB . NBC Sports . January 8, 2021 . December 2, 2020.
  14. Reubenking . Dylan . Eugene Omoruyi Declares for the NBA Draft . June 29, 2021 . . April 12, 2021.
  15. Web site: Mavericks Sign Rookie Free Agent Forward Eugene Omoruyi to A Two-Way Contract. Mavs.com. August 13, 2021. August 14, 2021.
  16. Web site: Mavs' Eugene Omoruyi out 4–6 months after toe surgery. USA Today. December 24, 2021. December 26, 2021.
  17. Web site: Dallas Mavericks waive two-way rookie forward Eugene Omoruyi. The Dallas Morning News. December 26, 2021. December 26, 2021.
  18. Web site: Ben. Creider. OKC Thunder Sign Eugene Omoruyi to Two-Way Deal . SI.com. July 14, 2022.
  19. Web site: Thunder Signs Eugene Omoruyi to Multi-Year Contract. NBA.com. February 10, 2023.
  20. Brandon. Rahbar. Thunder has waived Eugene Omoruyi.. 1630056236136689666. BrandonRahbar. February 26, 2023. February 26, 2023.
  21. James L.. Edwards III. Pistons have signed Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract. 1631674045811892226. JLEdwardsIII. March 3, 2023. March 3, 2023.
  22. Web site: Detroit Pistons impressed with Eugene Omoruyi, sign him to second 10-day contract. Yahoo! Sports. March 23, 2023.
  23. Mike. Curtis. 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.. 1638929690407870464. MikeACurtis2. March 23, 2023. March 23, 2023.
  24. Pistons PR. 1674483862863224840. The Detroit Pistons have picked up its team options for Isaiah Livers, Alec Burks and Eugene Omoruyi for the 2023-24 season.. Pistons_PR. June 29, 2023. August 2, 2023.
  25. Web site: Pistons waive forward Eugene Omoruyi. The Detroit News. July 1, 2023.
  26. Web site: Wizards Sign Eugene Omoruyi to Two-Way Contract. NBA.com. July 12, 2023. July 12, 2023.
  27. Web site: Wizards Convert Eugene Omoruyi To Standard NBA Contract. NBA.com. March 1, 2024. March 1, 2024.
  28. Washington Wizards. Official: We have requested waivers on Eugene Omoruyi.. 1826303366017786151. WashWizards. August 21, 2024. August 21, 2024.