 Omoruyi withRutgers in 2020 | |
| No. 14 – Maccabi Tel Aviv | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Ligat HaAl EuroLeague |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2001-10-11)11 October 2001 (age 24) Benin City, Nigeria |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | |
| NBA draft | 2025:undrafted |
| Playing career | 2025–present |
| Career history | |
| 2025–present | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Clifford Iyobosa Omoruyi (born 11 October 2001) is a Nigerian professionalbasketball player forMaccabi Tel Aviv of the IsraeliLigat HaAl and theEuroLeague. He playedcollege basketball for theRutgers Scarlet Knights andAlabama Crimson Tide.
Omoruyi grew up inBenin City, Nigeria and played soccer. Standing 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m), he received attention from basketball scouts who stated he could earn a scholarship overseas. At the age of 14, Omoruyi moved to the United States to attendQueen of Peace High School inNorth Arlington, New Jersey. Muhammad Oliver, a friend of Omoruyi's brother Aldred, and his wife offered to serve as his host family. Omoruyi also began playing basketball shortly after his arrival, initially against Oliver's son and then in AAU events. As a freshman at Queen of Peace, he nearly averaged a double-double in four games before breaking his leg. Omoruyi returned in time for the state tournament and posted 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game. Due to Queen of Peace shutting down, Omoruyi was forced to transfer toRoselle Catholic High School, and initially struggled with his grades. He transferred toImmaculate Conception High School for the second semester of his sophomore season to focus on academics, playing 10 games.[1]
Omoruyi transferred back to Roselle Catholic High School going into his junior season, stating he did not wish to run from challenges.[1] He averaged 11.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior.[2] As a senior, Omoruyi averaged 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game, helping Roselle Catholic post a 22–7 record and win the NJSIAA's Non-Public B North title. Omoruyi was named the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, First Team All-State by NJHoops.com and Second Team All-State byThe Star-Ledger.[3] On theNike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for the New York Lightning.[4] He was considered to be a four-star prospect ranked 42nd in his class byRivals. On 29 March 2020, Omoruyi committed to playing college basketball forRutgers over offers fromArizona State andAuburn. He became the highest-rated recruit to select the Scarlet Knights sinceKadeem Jack in 2010.[5]
Omoruyi suffered a knee sprain six games into his freshman season, forcing him to miss three weeks.[1] As a freshman, he averaged 3.8 points and four rebounds per game. Omoruyi became the team's starting center going into his sophomore season due toMyles Johnson's transfer toUCLA.[6] In his sophomore season debut, he scored 16 points and had nine rebounds againstLehigh, and subsequently enjoyed a breakout season.[7] Omoruyi was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media as a sophomore.[8] He averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.[9] Omoruyi averaged 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as a junior and was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten. He declared for the2023 NBA draft before opting to return to Rutgers.[10]
As a senior, Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, earning Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. Following the season, Omoruyi transferred from Rutgers to the University of Alabama.[11]
On 4 September 2025, Omoruyi signed a two-year contract withMaccabi Tel Aviv B.C..[12]
Omoruyi was invited to the training camp of theNigeria men's national basketball team in preparation for the2020 Summer Olympics.[13]
| 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 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Rutgers | 23 | 6 | 14.9 | .632 | .500 | .424 | 4.0 | .2 | .4 | .7 | 3.8 |
| 2021–22 | Rutgers | 32 | 32 | 28.7 | .624 | .167 | .602 | 7.8 | .4 | .5 | 1.3 | 11.9 |
| 2022–23 | Rutgers | 34 | 34 | 30.3 | .507 | .182 | .604 | 9.6 | .9 | .6 | 2.1 | 13.2 |
| 2023–24 | Rutgers | 32 | 32 | 26.9 | .512 | .200 | .610 | 8.3 | .5 | .7 | 2.9 | 10.4 |
| Career | 121 | 104 | 26.0 | .549 | .200 | .590 | 7.7 | .5 | .6 | 1.8 | 10.3 | |