caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo

to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. Baker was sensational. He always wanted to get better.. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. Right now its there for some stability.. McConnell made the heroic play with four fouls and put himself on the line physically as well to make the game saving block. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. Hes not soft. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. 28,939. He battled through countless injuries and college coaches who doubted him a skinny high school player many believed was too soft for high-major hoops. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. My teammates really helped me find my spots by sharing the game., Added Pikiell: Real pleased with what he gave us hes been playing well for us in the absence of Paul and Caleb.. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. 12 Illinois (four). The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. Rutgers' Clifford Omoruyi blocked Brice Sensbaugh's shot with nine seconds left, and the Scarlet Knights led by three with seven seconds to go. 8/10 Indiana, Earned All-Met Player of the Week (Dec. 6), Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, First Rutgers player to win conference Defensive Player of the Year award since Hamady Ndiaye in 2009-10, Also named Named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and to Big Ten All-Defensive Team. What a spark for @RutgersMBB! INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. He has 2.3 assists a game. McConnell told him about his budding basketball career and his cousin described life on the inside: the lack of freedom, the danger of being housed with violent criminals, the feeling of separation from the world and everything hes known. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. Caleb McConnell (22) Guard - Caleb McConnell is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the only individual award given to a RU player since joining . dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q Rutgers' Geo Baker, left, Ron Harper Jr., middle, and Caleb McConnell walk off the court after the team's loss to Notre Dame in a First Four game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament . The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. Wearing a heavy brace on his leg, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year came off the bench and logged 25 minutes during the Scarlet Knights 83-49 victory over Central Connecticut State. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. North Brunswick, New Jersey. Kaleb Johnson leaving Rutgers football to join the Florida Gators in the SEC, Antwann Hill Jr. discusses Rutgers football offer and where things stand with Ohio State, Rutgers basketball dominates and somehow loses at Minnesota, CBS Sports Jerry Palm has Rutgers basketball in the First Four. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. All rights reserved (About Us). The Buckeyes still led 64-60 with 2:33 to play when they threw the deep pass from their own baseline coming out of a timeout to find Malaki Branham wide open just past midcourt. Find doctors, specialized in Cosmetology and compare prices, costs and reviews. It will eventually come off. 13 Michigan State and No. You cant replace 114 games of college experience and the intangibles he brings in terms of leadership and basketball IQ. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf 0:05. And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. Rutgers Basketball got some good news today as wing player Caleb McConnell intends to withdraw his name from the 2022 NBA Draft and will return to college for one last season with the Scarlet Knights. Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. bD0nK2w6Jyc7ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPQogICAgICAgICdodHRwczov He found a better balance in his schedule, spending less time wearing his body out in the gym and more time studying film of the opposing teams best player. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. Please update it here. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of The Year, one of 10 players as a semi-finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of The Year award and was also earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. Rutgers Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. The Hurricanes, who made the NCAA Tournaments Elite Eight last season, are 5-1 thus far with a Kenpom ranking of 50 (Rutgers is 34). Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg After tearful conversations with his father and Pikiell, McConnell elected to have surgery, take a medical redshirt and miss an entire basketball season for the first time in his life. But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. The Scarlet Knights close out the regular season on the weekend at home against Penn State. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? Hes going to go out and play.. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 "We've been trying to let these guys know we need more from them with me and Paul out, and theyve been bringing it," McConnell said. Just as Rutgers was being read its last rites on the game in what really was a must win to maintain hope for a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament, McConnell, like the team, came back from the dead to save the day. The kids a dog.. Scored in double-figures four times in a five-game span (Clemson, Purdue, Seton Hall, Maine), 16 points versus Clemson was new career-high, Also set career-highs in rebounds (12, Seton Hall), assists (9, UMass) and steals (6, UMass), Had four steals in each of wins over No. Gambling problem? By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. It was a four point swing that swung the game in Rutgers favor. Averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds with 26 steals and 32 assists, Led team in 3-point percentage (35.7%) and was second in team in steals, Among Big Ten freshman, ranked fifth in steals, Scored in double-figures six times, five of those coming against Big Ten foes, including a career-best 25 points at Illinois (Feb. 9), Averaged 11.8 points over the final four games of the season, A 247Sports and Rivals three-star prospect who attended SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, helping the team to a 22-6 record in 2017-18 under head coach Dave Briski, Averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals-per-game as a senior, Scored 30 points with seven assists against Our Savior Lutheran (N.Y.), Ranked the No. Not too bad. Simpson, a point guard out of Lenape High School, finished with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting Saturday and brought the crowd to its feet with a thunderous breakaway dunk. Hes just tough. Im unbreakable because no matter what happens, Im still going to keep going and overcome all the challenges, all the injuries, all the setbacks, all the doubts. Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. There are no statistics available for this player. His back slowly started to heal, allowing him to participate in practice on the scout team. Yes, Rutgers basketball fans fully grasped the importance of seeing No. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. Commanded his way off the bench with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in win against Clemson in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (Mar. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. McConnell announced the decision to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft on March 28th with a post on Instagram that read as follows: These last four years were amazing! No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. Simply put, it changed the game. He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. That roar became an eruption a minute later, when McConnell converted his first touch into a bucket an eight-foot running floater from the baseline. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. He was a key member of the 2019-20 team that would have snapped Rutgers then 29-year NCAA Tournament drought had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. Tip time is 7:15 p.m. Im looking forward to these next couple of games because I know the competition is going to get better," he said. Thank you to Coach Pikiell for believing in me and recruiting a kid from Jacksonville, Florida, and Dayton, Ohio to play at Rutgers when few people believed in me. There is still the option to withdraw up until June 13th, as per the NBA rules, but that would not allow them to retain their college eligibility. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Caleb McConnell debuts in romp of CCSU, Rutgers basketball: Caleb McConnell debuts in romp of CCSU, Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie. MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG My Rutgers family helped me grow from a unrefined freshman to the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and I thank you all for that from the bottom of my heart!. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. So how did McConnell look? Minnesota won 75-74. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. Whenever were in the huddle, hes always saying, Ill guard him. Theres a great feeling as a coach knowing that someone wants to accept the challenge of stopping the best player.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports He was finally healthy heading into his junior season, but a month and a half before he was scheduled to return to school, a freak accident in a pickup game left him with two slipped disks in his back. However, it was Caleb McConnells block after coming out of seemingly nowhere that is ultimately the play that will be most remembered in this victory. McConnell was a great locker room presence, able to flip a switch from the relentless player he was on the court to a unifying force off of it. Pikiell told McConnell to take his time, but McConnells mind was made up: He was coming back to help this team. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. He came into Rutgers as part of the 2018 recruiting class with Harper Jr., who already hired an agent and will not return to use his final year of college eligibility at Rutgers. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. As expected, rusty. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. Rutgers men's basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. #1. He also added 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. Garcia added 19 points and Pharrel Payne had 15 for Minnesota (8-20, 2-16 Big Ten), which shot 54 percent (15 of 28) in the second half and made 11 of 24 3-pointers overall. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. When he missed eight games to start the 2020-21 season the first missed games of his college career it gnawed at McConnell. They have a 4-3 record against Quad 1 opponents and have won back to back games against ranked foes for the first time since 2008. He adjusted the brace a few times, short-ironed a couple of shots, but did a lot of the dirty-work as usual deflecting balls, altering shots, setting screens, making the extra pass. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. 11.3k Followers, 1,244 Following, 71 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Caleb McConnell (@calebmcco) calebmcco. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD With latest Big Ten loss, Rutgers basketball continues KenPom slide, Elijah King, a three-star edge, opens up on Rutgers football offer and his spring visit to Ohio State, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are walking in the ceremony guard Paul Mulcahy, forwards Oskar Palmquist and Aundre Hyatt all have at least one year of eligibility remaining, and thus have the option to return to Rutgers next winter. dmVyc2lvbgogICAgcy5zcmMgPSAiaHR0cHM6Ly9zLnlpbWcuY29tL2N4L3Z6 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Tanner Holden made a 3-pointer as time expired to give No. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. Neither do we. The brotherhood, the culture and the friendships we built with each other are going to last forever. PISCATAWAY A huge cheer arose from the 5,000 denizens of Jersey Mikes Arena five minutes into Saturdays game, when Caleb McConnell rose from the bench and checked in at the scorers table. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. 22 on the court for the first time this season. All rights reserved (About Us). Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. Hes fearless.. It was his way of getting me better. Count them out at your own risk. Even though McConnell broke his foot just before Pikiell was scheduled to fly out and watch him play, Pikiell made the trip to Ohio anyway. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. There were the attributes obvious to everyone some sharp shooting, an ability to drive to the rim, dynamic playmaking, a willingness to pass the ball but Briski was impressed by something else. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. 10 Iowa as he recovered from a back injury, Scored 12 points with 3 assists and four rebounds versus Ohio State (Jan. 9), Posted season-highs with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in win over Minnesota (Feb. 4). Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo McConnell will give it everything he has, carried by the unbreakable mindset that got him here, sharing all the fruits of his labor with those who backed him up along the way. The Rutgers guard overcame a childhood that hopscotched from Florida to Ohio and eventually left him living on his own to pursue his dream. Rutgers senior guard Caleb McConnell's availability for the start of the 2022-23 season is unclear as he works his way back from the knee injury he sustained in practice earlier this month, head . IHMuYXN5bmMgPSB0cnVlOwogICAgLy8gbG9hZGluZyB0aGUgZXZlcmdyZWVu Please check your email for a confirmation. "I love the fans, such a great atmosphere, a family feel, and I need that," McConnell said. IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell grimaces after colliding with a Minnesota player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Minneapolis. Play By Play - 1st Half; Time Remaining RU Away Team Score Play Team Indicator Home Team Score PSU Game Score Team Indicator Play; 19:36: TURNOVER by MCCONNELL,CALEB It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. He is focused solely on finishing the fourth year of a Big Ten basketball career few believed could happen on the right foot, carrying an unshakable belief that Rutgers can disprove the doubters and return to March Madness. He kept going at dudes. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. That aspect of the game has been a mainstay and strength during the Pikiell era as McConnell has personified the type of player that has developed and excelled under the head coach's direction. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. He was by no means a flashy recruit and was the third-highest recruit out of 4 in Rutgers' 2018 class.. Now, McConnell has recently been crowned the Big . In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. McConnell made the 15-minute walk from his moms Jacksonville apartment to the courts and he spent hours in pickup games, a majority of which against grown men. Players didnt call fouls because there were none allowed. Rutgers men's basketball's fifth-year captain Caleb McConnell has been named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist, consisting of 10 of the top defenders in the country. Will have a story up soon, but you'll hear first: Pikiell said he is not expecting Caleb McConnell to be available on Thursday against Michigan due to the back injury he sustained during warmups for the Wisconsin game. Follow. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury McConnells has a decorated resume through 60 career starts and 114 games played. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24mYzU9MjAyMjczMzE0MCZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future.