Rutgers Basketball: Why Jordan Derkack is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

For the longest time, Rutgers basketball was something of a joke, and they certainly were floundering after joining the Big Ten a decade ago. Then things started coming together under Steve Pikiell, who recently led the Scarlet Knights to a pair of NCAA Tournaments, part of four solid seasons in a row. This past year was a step backwards, ending under .500 and just 12th in the Big Ten, though there’s a major reason for hope.

Despite the fact that many of last season’s players graduated or transferred, Rutgers could be in line for a big season with the addition of those two 5-star players in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. They’ll also get Jeremiah Williams back for another year, hopeful that he can stay healthy. Rutgers lost so much of their minutes from last season, namely top players like Audre Hyatt, Cliff Omoruyi, and Derek Simpson. However, there’s much more on this roster than a couple elite freshmen and a few returning guards.

Emptied by the Transfer Portal, Pikiell and his staff utilized it to their own benefit as well, adding four transfers into the mix. They added an underrated power forward in Zach Martini from Princeton and also lured former San Diego guard PJ Hayes to the East Coast. One of the biggest additions is Tyson Acuff, a shooting guard and impressive scorer from Eastern Michigan who figures to play a significant role in the backcourt this season.

The one player we’re more focused on for the upcoming season is Jordan Derkack. A combo guard from New Jersey, he spent the first two years of his career playing at Merrimack. While competition in the NEC pales in comparison to the Big Ten, Derkack really took a step forward as a sophomore. Not only did he lead the Warriors to a regular season title, he averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, winning both NEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the process.

Derkack proved his worth and was everything for Merrimack these recent seasons, developing into that top-flight backcourt weapon who was strong on both ends of the court. There’s obviously going to be a learning curve and it’s improper to expect that same level of production at Rutgers, but Derkack has the potential to be a great asset. He’s not a standout shooter from outside the arc, but he could be a great Big Ten guard if he can add that to his game.

That defensive intensity alone makes him a great addition for the Scarlet Knights, who are leaning on a lot of raw talent at the top of this team. Rutgers doesn’t need 15 points a night for Derkack to make a great impact on these games; his on-ball pressure and other physicality already makes him a great piece to have on the court. He’ll give way to Bailey, Harper, and others and might not even be a major factor on offense, but he’s an intriguing talent.

None of these four additions jump off the page, though it’s the freshmen class for the Scarlet Knights that already do that. If success comes for this program in the coming months, it’s going to be those two leading the charge at Rutgers. That being said, has Pikiell and his staff done enough to build around those elite freshmen? Can Derkack actually handle the transition from NEC to Big Ten and be a reliable weapon?