Rutgers Men’s Basketball names Trio as Captains for 2022-23 Season
The Rutgers Men’s Basketball team has named three of its veteran player as captains for the 2022-23 season, which begins Monday, November 7 against Columbia at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
Head Coach Steve Pikiel made it official on Wednesday naming fifth year senior Caleb McConnell, senior Paul Mulcahy and junior Clifford Omoruyi as team captains. It is the first time that all three players hold such a title.
All three players are well deserving of the honor.
2022-23 Rutgers Mens Basketball Team Captains 🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Pye9hoEqzN
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) November 2, 2022
McConnell was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season. He is the only Rutgers player to receive an individual award since the program joined the Big Ten in 2014. McConnell led the conference with 70 steals last season, and played in 114 games at RU. During the offseason he opted to return to Rutgers for one last run at a Big Ten title after working out for several NBA teams.
A career .388 shooter, McConnell owns 718 points in his career, and has forced 150 steals throughout his career, including 33 blocks.
Mulcahy is know as a “tenacious competitor.” He led the Big Ten in assists last season in conference games by a wide margin and had career-highs in points (9.0), rebounds (4.1), and assists (5.3) throughout the full season. New Jersey’s point guard nearly doubled his points and assists total from 2020-21. Honored as a 2021-22 Big Ten Honorable Mention. Has spent three seasons at Rutgers, playing in 89 games with 51 starts.
Finally, Omoruyi “entered the NCAA Tournament last season leading the country in dunks. Omoruyi’s ascension to one of the best centers in the Big Ten was outstanding as a sophomore. In half the minutes played during his freshman year he averaged 3.8 points-per-game and four rebounds. Omoruyi is finally getting the recognition he deserves as he was selected to the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Preseason Team,” according to Rutgers Athletics.
