Clifford Omoruyi

Clifford Omoruyi
Omoruyi with Rutgers in 2020
No. 11 – PAOK Thessaloniki
PositionCenter
LeagueGreek Basketball League
EuroCup
Personal information
Born (2001-10-11) 11 October 2001
Benin City, Nigeria
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2025: undrafted
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025Maccabi Tel Aviv
2025–2026Galatasaray
2026–presentPAOK Thessaloniki
Career highlights
  • Second-team All-Big Ten – Media (2023)
  • Third-team All-Big Ten – Coaches (2023)
  • 2× Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2023, 2024)

Clifford Iyobosa Omoruyi Listenⓘ(born 11 October 2001) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for PAOK Thessaloniki of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Early life and high school career

Omoruyi grew up in Benin 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 attend Queen of Peace High School in North 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 to Roselle Catholic High School, and initially struggled with his grades. He transferred to Immaculate 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 by The Star-Ledger.[3] On the Nike 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 by Rivals. On 29 March 2020, Omoruyi committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers over offers from Arizona State and Auburn. He became the highest-rated recruit to select the Scarlet Knights since Kadeem Jack in 2010.[5]

College career

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 to Myles Johnson's transfer to UCLA.[6] In his sophomore season debut, he scored 16 points and had nine rebounds against Lehigh, 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 the 2023 NBA draft before opting to return to Rutgers.[10]

On December 16, 2023, Omoruyi scored a career-high 25 points to go with 11 rebounds in a 83-61 win over LUI.[11] As a senior, he 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 Alabama.[12] A four-star transfer, he was ranked the No. 3 center and No. 13 overall player in the transfer portal according to 247Sports and chose the Crimson Tide over North Carolina, Kansas State and Georgetown.[13] Omoruyi averaged 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 73 percent from the field, helping Alabama reach the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.[14] Omoruyi was a perfect 15-15 from the field over a stretch that lasted from the 9 minute mark of the first half of the SEC tournament semifinal to the 3:51 mark of the first half of the 2nd Round of the NCAA tournament. This streak including 8 dunks against Robert Morris in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament.[15]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Omoruyi joined the Toronto Raptors on an Exhibit 10 contract after playing with the team in the NBA Summer League.[14] He was waived before training camp and subsequently began his professional career in Europe.[16]

Maccabi Tel Aviv (2025)

On 4 September 2025, Omoruyi signed his first professional contract, a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv.[17] During his brief stint with the Israeli club, he made five appearances, including three in the EuroLeague and two in the Israeli domestic league.[18]

Galatasaray (2025–2026)

On 12 December 2025, Omoruyi moved to Turkey and signed a one-year contract with Galatasaray.[19] He appeared in six games across the Basketbol Süper Ligi and Basketball Champions League.[18] In his Basketball Champions League appearance against Igokea, he scored 8 points as Galatasaray won 82–65.[20]

Following a coaching change at Galatasaray, his role with the team was affected and, on 30 January 2026, the club announced that his contract had been terminated by mutual agreement.[21]

PAOK Thessaloniki (2026–present)

On 30 January 2026, Omoruyi signed with PAOK Thessaloniki for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with an option for an additional year.[18] The move was his third club of his first professional season, after beginning the campaign with Maccabi Tel Aviv and later playing for Galatasaray.

Omoruyi made his PAOK debut on 4 February 2026 in the FIBA Europe Cup, scoring 8 points in a 101–67 home victory over Sporting CP.[22]

He gradually established himself in PAOK's frontcourt rotation and contributed during the club's run to the 2025–26 FIBA Europe Cup Final. In eight games in the competition, he averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 60% from two-point range.[23] He recorded 10 points and 8 rebounds in the second leg of PAOK's semifinal series against UCAM Murcia, helping the team advance to the final.[23]

Omoruyi also became an increasingly important part of PAOK's rotation during the closing stages of the domestic season. He scored 17 points in a 100–87 Greek League victory over Mykonos in March and later produced 19 points against Panathinaikos during the league playoffs.[24][25]

Across all competitions with PAOK during the 2025–26 season, Omoruyi made 22 appearances and averaged 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting 65.6% from two-point range and 75.6% from the free-throw line.[22]

His performances during the second half of the season earned him the confidence of the club and incoming head coach Andrea Trinchieri. On 30 June 2026, PAOK exercised the option in his contract and renewed his deal for the 2026–27 season.[22] Omoruyi later stated that, after playing for three different teams in three countries during his first professional season, he had found stability at PAOK, while the club noted that he had earned the trust of both the team and Trinchieri.[26]

National team career

Omoruyi was invited to the training camp of the Nigeria men's national basketball team in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[27]

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

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Rutgers 23614.9.632.500.4244.0.2.4.73.8
2021–22 Rutgers 323228.7.624.167.6027.8.4.51.311.9
2022–23 Rutgers 343430.3.507.182.6049.6.9.62.113.2
2023–24 Rutgers 323226.9.512.200.6108.3.5.72.910.4
2024–25 Alabama 373719.2.7340.7256.5.9.41.17.9
Career 15814124.4.575.200.6167.4.6.51.79.8

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fonseca, Brian (9 March 2021). "Cliff Omoruyi came from the other side of the world to find a home at Rutgers, but his basketball journey has just begun". NJ.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ↑ Schnyderite, Richard (15 April 2020). "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball Signee Bio: C Clifford Omoruyi". Rivals.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Carino, Jerry (29 March 2020). "Rutgers basketball: Cliff Omoruyi, star Roselle Catholic center, commits in breakthrough". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Borzello, Jeff (29 March 2020). "Rutgers lands Cliff Omoruyi, highest-ranked recruit since 2008". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Braziller, Zach (29 March 2020). "Cliff Omoruyi commits to Rutgers in massive recruiting win". New York Post. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Politi, Steve (4 November 2021). "This 'freakish' athlete is the key to the Rutgers basketball season". NJ.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  7. ↑ Patuto, Greg (6 January 2022). "Cliff Omoruyi continues to show improvement but has one more step to take". On the Banks. SB Nation. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "2021-22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  9. ↑ Carino, Jerry (March 18, 2022). "Rutgers basketball: 5 offseason priorities for 2022-23". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ Corso, Chris (November 6, 2023). "Clifford Omoruyi Named to Naismith Top-50 Watchlist for 2023-24 NPOY". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Omoruyi's Career-High Leads RU Over LIU 83-61". Rutgers Scarlet Knights. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ Borzello, Jeff (May 5, 2024). "Alabama lands Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi via transfer portal". ESPN. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  13. ↑ Leuzzi, John (February 15, 2025). "Why did Cliff Omoruyi transfer to Alabama? Rutgers C chose Crimson Tide over UNC, others". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Carino, Jerry (June 27, 2025). "Cliff Omoruyi, former Rutgers center, joining Toronto Raptors as free agent". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ Smarr, Emilee. "Alabama basketball's Cliff Omoruyi and teammates react to perfect shooting streak before Sweet 16". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  16. ↑ "Raptors' Cliff Omoruyi: Not on training-camp roster". CBS Sports. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "Big man Clifford Omoruyi signed two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv". Eurohoops. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 "O Clifford Omoruyi στον ΠΑΟΚ". PAOK BC (in Greek). 30 January 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Galatasaray MCT Technic'e Hoş Geldin Clifford Omoruyi!". Galatasaray S.K. (in Turkish). 12 December 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Igokea 65-82 Galatasaray MCT Technic". Galatasaray S.K. (in Turkish). 17 December 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Teşekkürler Clifford Omoruyi!". Galatasaray S.K. (in Turkish). 30 January 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 "Clifford Omoruyi to Remain with PAOK for the 2026–27 Season". PAOK BC. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Clifford Omoruyi – PAOK BC". FIBA Basketball. FIBA. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "PAOK – Mykonos Betsson: 100–87". PAOK BC. 25 March 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "PAOK - Panathinaikos AKTOR: 94-102". PAOK BC. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Omoruyi: «Ο ΠΑΟΚ είναι σαν οικογένεια για μένα»". PAOK BC (in Greek). 1 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Schnyderite, Richard (22 June 2021). "Rutgers Cliff Omoruyi invited to Nigeria Basketball Olympic Training Camp". Rivals.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
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