Forward Chris Nwuli, No. 41 on ESPN 100, commits to Rutgers

Top 50 forward Chris Nwuli announced his commitment to Rutgers on Sunday, giving the Scarlet Knights their first ESPN 100 prospect in the 2025 class.

Steve Pikiell's program was not involved in recruiting Nwuli until recently, extending a scholarship offer in late September after not being included on Nwuli's list of six finalist schools in August.

“I chose Rutgers because I love the way the coaching staff made me feel welcome and the East Coast is where I want to be,” Nwuli told ESPN. “I love the energy of the staff. Coach Pikiell breathes basketball and cares about his players. He is tough on his guys in practice and encourages them to be better players and people.”

Nwuli, a 6-foot-7 forward, is ranked No. 41 on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2025.

Nwuli is one of the most explosive athletes in the senior category. He has a quick twitch ability to get off the ground with great explosion and lift, and his second jump is effective because it allows him to get easy points on putbacks or block shots at the other end. He is an elevated threat, especially in transition, and is versatile defensively with his lateral quickness and ability to cover ground.

Nwuli, who transferred to Sierra Canyon School (California) over the summer, played alongside top recruits AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes with the Oakland Soldiers on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds during the regular season, and then scored 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds at the Nike Peach Jam in July. He also showed some range to the perimeter, shooting over 47% from behind the arc on low value, but he did hit a pair of 3-pointers in the Peach Jam title game.

Nwuli gives Pikiell and Rutgers their third top-50 recruit in the last two classes, with the Scarlet Knights landing elite prospects Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in 2024. He joins a 2025 class that includes center three stars Gevonte Ware, Lino Mark and Kaden. Powers.