One of the state’s top big men, Roselle Catholic senior Cliff Omoruyi was named the 2019-2020 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Basketball Player of the Year on Thursday.
The 6-10, 230-pound center is the first player from Roselle Catholic to receive the award in its 35-year history. Jabri Abdur-Rahim of Blair Academy was last year’s recipient.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Omoruyi as New Jersey’s best high school boys basketball player. He is now a finalist for its National Player of the Year award.
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As a part of Gatorade’s cause marketing platform “Play it Forward,” Omoruyi also has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing. He is also eligible to submit an essay to win one of 12 spotlight grants worth $10,000 for the organization of choice, which will be announced throughout the year.
Omoruyi carries a 3.47 GPA.
"Cliff is a great student-athlete," RC coach Dave Boff said. "I think he will continue to grow and add to his game as he gets into a college program. I look forward to watching his continued growth."
In helping Roselle Catholic win the North Jersey, Non-Public B championship, "Big Cliff" proved to be extremely productive around the basket. He averaged 16 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.5 blocks in four tournament games.
Omoruyi collected 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks in semifinal win over Patrick School, helping snap a three-game losing skid during the regular season against the Celtics.
He also went for 20-14-10 in the quarterfinals against Marist.
“Cliff Omoruyi is a true game-changer. He can score inside and he’s just a devastating defensive player, with great timing and athleticism," NJ.com Coach of the Year Andrew Bilodeau of Manasquan said in a release from Gatorade.
The Central Jersey Group 2 champion, Manasquan’s only loss this season was to Roselle Catholic, 45-43 on Jan. 11.
Omoruyi, who is expected to announce his college selection - Arizona State, Rutgers or Auburn - on Sunday, averaged 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.4 blocks as Roselle Catholic finished 21-7 overall. He was an NJ.com second team All-State selection.
Kevin Minnick focuses on South Jersey and can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports.