Rutgers basketball head coach Steve Pikiell used the program’s summer media day to sketch out where his team stands heading into next season, and a lot of the conversation centered on what the roster is starting to look like.
One of the biggest themes was the two scholarship spots still open. Pikiell addressed that part of the roster situation during the press conference, while also fielding questions on several other areas as Rutgers continues shaping its group for the year ahead.
The frontcourt came up quickly, especially with incoming centers Christian Gurdak and Dorin Buca joining the mix. Pikiell praised both players for their work ethic, then zeroed in on what Buca can bring on the floor and why having two playable centers matters.
“He’s got really good hands and catches. He’s impressive, a skill that can pull and shoot the ball. (In reference to Buca) So we finally have a five spot that both guys can shoot and pass it,” said Pikiell about his new centers.
Pikiell also spent a good portion of the session highlighting Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn and her role in the school’s NIL efforts. He credited that work with helping Rutgers be more aggressive in the transfer portal and with keeping key pieces in place.
“First of all, the best person in the transfer portal we got, she’s 5’6, and her name is Keli Zinn. She is the number one transfer portal person that we have, and because of her, we are able to retain our best scorer, our best leader, our best defender, June, over there, our best young talent. So I gotta start with her in that,” said Pikiell first thing after being asked about the process of integrating the transfer portal additions into their system.
He also noted the advantage of having Rob Sullivan devoted solely to men’s basketball, and said Sullivan will be going on the road to recruit.
There was also an injury update on Will Sydnor, who sprained his ankle. Pikiell said he expected Sydnor back after the Fourth of July, though he did not give a specific date. When asked about Sydnor, he described him as high-energy, competitive, and willing to work.
A recurring point from Pikiell throughout the press conference was the value of experience and leadership. Rutgers was nearly half freshmen last season, but the roster has added veteran help through the transfer portal and kept some of its standout freshmen, giving the team more experience than it had a year ago.
In Other News...
Rutgers May Finally Have A Real Answer At Center
Christian Gurdaks arrival gives Rutgers something it has spent a long time trying to solve: a more reliable answer in the middle. The sophomore center transferred in from Virginia Tech after playing 31 games last season, and he comes in with the kind of size and experience the Scarlet Knights have been looking to add as they try to stabilize a position that has been a sore spot.
For Rutgers, the appeal is not just that Gurdak can occupy the spot on the floor, but that he arrives with room to grow in a bigger role. He has already talked about the chance to compete in the Big Ten and the challenge that comes with it, and the Scarlet Knights are counting on that adjustment to help turn a need into a strength. The question now is how quickly he can settle in and become the presence Rutgers has been missing. [Read more 🡒]