BB Recruiting New Mexico transfer SG Lewis Duarte has signed with Rutgers

[RUJMM78]

Need a Zrno replacement too.

More than one 3 point shooter needs to be on the court .

 

[NickRU714]

Do you know something we don't know about his training the last three years, or how good his coaching has been? Sounds like a lot of supposition.

No more supposition than you when declaring he is just as desirable a prospect (and likely better) as he was 3 years ago.

Are those offers from Illinois, South Carolina and Creighton still on the table?

 

[Kbe4]

" I'm assuming it's cheaper to get players in women's ball but still.."

Yah think.

 

[Bob Chaewsky_rivals]

More than one 3 point shooter needs to be on the court .

You're a nut.

 

[ru66+]

You’re a good fan all you do on here is insult people for having an opinion you and mugrat and ancient must all be the same guy

Since when is it not allowed to have differing opinions? That’s kinda why this country is royally screwed these days

I guess you have no idea that vegaspj is a Shu troll ,that normally attacks RU on their board. And by the way he contends college sports are worthless due to NIL yet he can't stop posting--- why? Cause he's an a$$ hat.Yup,go support a d bag that's hates RU-- maybe you're the same guy.

 

[Mholinko]

I guess you have no idea that vegaspj is a Shu troll ,that normally attacks RU on their board. And by the way he contends college sports are worthless due to NIL yet he can't stop posting--- why? Cause he's an a$$ hat.Yup,go support a d bag that's hates RU-- maybe you're the same guy.

I’m not I sit in section 305 for 10 years my entire family are RU alumni

don’t pay attention to his posts

good job once again ignoring what I actually said

I asked if it’s ok for People to have differing opinions

 

[ru66+]

I’m not I sit in section 305 for 10 years my entire family are RU alumni

don’t pay attention to his posts

good job once again ignoring what I actually said

I asked if it’s ok for People to have differing opinions

I guess you believe differing opinions that attack RU and are just nasty troll BS are acceptable. And you believe a guy who goes out of his way to attack RU has honest, sincere intentions. Good gor you.

 

[RUDiddy777]

More than one 3 point shooter needs to be on the court .

Fair. JMike and Riq can shoot the 3 - problem is that they are regular human size.

 

[Mholinko]

I guess you believe differing opinions that attack RU and are just nasty troll BS are acceptable. And you believe a guy who goes out of his way to attack RU has honest, sincere intentions. Good gor you.

Who are you referring to? I don’t go out of my way to defend Vegas or bac

I made a general statement that people like me and you can have differing opinions

 

[NickRU714]

More than one 3 point shooter needs to be on the court .

Lets start with more than one 3 point shooter on the roster.

Actually having two on the court might put Knight and Pike into shock.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Lets start with more than one 3 point shooter on the roster.

Actually having two on the court might put Knight and Pike into shock.

You think this is where we should be focusing? Really? This was one of our better 3 point shooting teams statistically. If you remove only the guys who entered the portal, the rest of our team shot a combined 34.1% from 3 (better than any RU team shot in as long as I can remember). Would it help to add another shooter if we had the money? Of course. But at the moment we have no frontcourt at all and are honing in on DePaul’s Maker and you think Pike should focus on shooters?

 

[NickRU714]

So assuming this guy is even eligible (has that been confirmed?) how many years of eligibility would he have?
4?
Since he never played at NM.

I know nobody stays at 1 school but just wondering.

 

[seansherm]

So assuming this guy is even eligible (has that been confirmed?) how many years of eligibility would he have?
4?
Since he never played at NM.

I know nobody stays at 1 school but just wondering.

Think its been said 3, but I'm not sure what hes done in the off time that would solve his eligibility.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Think its been said 3, but I'm not sure what hes done in the off time that would solve his eligibility.

Were there still SAT/ACT test score minimums back in 2022. When were those waived? Just thinking of possibilities. I’d like to believe any contract we gave him was contingent on him qualifying.

 

[seansherm]

Were there still SAT/ACT test score minimums back in 2022. When were those waived? Just thinking of possibilities. I’d like to believe any contract we gave him was contingent on him qualifying.

I'm sure it was, or they are just doing the Dorian Jones thing and planning to pay him something this year while he goes to school and gets himself eligible for 2nd half the year.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I'm sure it was, or they are just doing the Dorian Jones thing and planning to pay him something this year while he goes to school and gets himself eligible for 2nd half the year.

No way. You think they wanted this kid so badly they made him our first signee and offered to pay him even if he doesn’t end up being able to play? Can’t see it. Dorian Jones was our last pick up at a point when we weren’t going to add anyone else of note.

 

[seansherm]

No way. You think they wanted this kid so badly they made him our first signee and offered to pay him even if he doesn’t end up being able to play? Can’t see it. Dorian Jones was our last pick up at a point when we weren’t going to add anyone else of note.

Of course I think they expect him to be eligible, just wouldn't surprise me if his one year deal was guaranteed whether he is or is not. Just because he was first, doesn't mean he was top priority. Not being at another school probably means we were able to talk to him more than other guys early.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Of course I think they expect him to be eligible, just wouldn't surprise me if his one year deal was guaranteed whether he is or is not. Just because he was first, doesn't mean he was top priority. Not being at another school probably means we were able to talk to him more than other guys early.

There would be no reason to allocate a penny to him at this juncture if there’s a chance he may not be available to play. If he was demanding guaranteed payment I’d think it would be a hard pass. We’re on a limited budget. We have Powers (likely) and a frosh 2 guard, plus Francis plays the 2. It would make no sense to spend anything we have right now on someone who doesn’t play a position of clear need and isn’t even a guarantee to be eligible. The timing does matter a lot. With Jones there was nobody left to use the money on.

 

[seansherm]

There would be no reason to allocate a penny to him at this juncture if there’s a chance he may not be available to play. If he was demanding guaranteed payment I’d think it would be a hard pass. We’re on a limited budget. We have Powers (likely) and a frosh 2 guard, plus Francis plays the 2. It would make no sense to spend anything we have right now on someone who doesn’t play a position of clear need and isn’t even a guarantee to be eligible. The timing does matter a lot. With Jones there was nobody left to use the money on.

Just cause it doesn't make sense doesn't mean its not possible. Who knows what there thought/plan is.

 

[NewHondo77]

Just cause it doesn't make sense doesn't mean its not possible. Who knows what there thought/plan is.

 

[MADHAT1]

The question is: will Durate be eligible or ineligible because he played as a pro ??

> During his last two seasons playing professionally in his homeland, Duarte played 38 games and averaged 8.9 points, three rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while recording an average of 21.3 minutes per game.<



https://www.onthebanks.com/rutgers-...arte-yet-to-receive-signing-clearance-by-ncaa

 

[NickRU714]

The question is: will Durate be eligible or ineligible because he played as a pro ??

> During his last two seasons playing professionally in his homeland, Duarte played 38 games and averaged 8.9 points, three rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while recording an average of 21.3 minutes per game.<



https://www.onthebanks.com/rutgers-...arte-yet-to-receive-signing-clearance-by-ncaa

Considering he wasn't even eligible out of HS I believe (why he never actuallly played at New Mexico), I would think the "pro" aspect is the least his and Pikes concern.

Regardless of his prior experience, does he even have the normal education requirements?

 

[MADHAT1]

Looks like he won't be playing
The NCAA won't clear him (playing for Overtime Elite ??) and Rutgers withdrew his financial aId package they were offering him to attend RU

google search found:
Lewis Duarte is set for an appeals hearing with the University Financial Aid Committee on Athletics Appeals, triggered after Rutgers notified him on July 14, 2026, that his athletic financial aid agreement would be canceled

Financial Aid Appeal Details

• • Cancellation Notice Date: July 14, 2026, via Rutgers University Enrollment Services.
  • Action Taken: Formal appeal initiated by Lenny Minaya on behalf of Duarte.
  • Next Step: An upcoming hearing with the University Financial Aid Committee on Athletics Appeals.
  • Root Cause: Inability to secure NCAA eligibility following his transfer commitment.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Looks like he won't be playing
The NCAA won't clear him (playing for Overtime Elite ??) and Rutgers withdrew his financial aId package they were offering him to attend RU

google search found:
Lewis Duarte is set for an appeals hearing with the University Financial Aid Committee on Athletics Appeals, triggered after Rutgers notified him on July 14, 2026, that his athletic financial aid agreement would be canceled

Financial Aid Appeal Details

• • Cancellation Notice Date: July 14, 2026, via Rutgers University Enrollment Services.
  • Action Taken: Formal appeal initiated by Lenny Minaya on behalf of Duarte.
  • Next Step: An upcoming hearing with the University Financial Aid Committee on Athletics Appeals.
  • Root Cause: Inability to secure NCAA eligibility following his transfer commitment.

I don’t understand what he’s appealing? There’s no way we guaranteed we could get him eligible. No NIL deal was signed so clearly any agreement was contingent on his qualification. Pike made a good faith effort to try to get him eligible and didn’t succeed. Duarte could’ve walked away at any point - yes? There was no signed deal. I don’t get it.

 

[littlenis5]

I don’t understand what he’s appealing? There’s no way we guaranteed we could get him eligible. No NIL deal was signed so clearly any agreement was contingent on his qualification. Pike made a good faith effort to try to get him eligible and didn’t succeed. Duarte could’ve walked away at any point - yes? There was no signed deal. I don’t get it.

Only at Rutgers do these incidents get blown up

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Only at Rutgers do these incidents get blown up

This is such a joke. Obviously, RU was going to tell Duarte they are trying to get him eligible and would hope he’d stick around until they went out to replace him. Without a NIL agreement (and even still then) kids can “decommit” at any time. We weren’t holding Duarte hostage. He could’ve moved on whenever he wanted.

 

[MADHAT1]

I don’t understand what he’s appealing? There’s no way we guaranteed we could get him eligible. No NIL deal was signed so clearly any agreement was contingent on his qualification. Pike made a good faith effort to try to get him eligible and didn’t succeed. Duarte could’ve walked away at any point - yes? There was no signed deal. I don’t get it.

We don't know if it was implied by Rutgers that the school could get him eligible and that is the the reason he's pealing.
I'm guessing RU just implied there was a chance and he should hang tight and now his agent is using that for the appeal and a possible lawsuit ( out of court settlement intended ) when appeal is denied by RU .

This just might be a long-shot money grab , from RU , move because I haven't heard about him appealing the NCAA declaring him ineligible or suing them for the right to play College Ball

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

We don't know if it was implied by Rutgers that the school could get him eligible and that is the the reason he's pealing.
I'm guessing RU just implied there was a chance and he should hang tight and now his agent is using that for the appeal and a possible lawsuit ( out of court settlement intended ) when appeal is denied by RU .

This just might be a long-shot money grab , from RU , move because I haven't heard about him appealing the NCAA declaring him ineligible or suing them for the right to play College Ball

Legally, does it even matter what Rutgers told him? Words are just words. Companies drag along their second tier back up candidates for positions all the time. If one of them were to turn down another opportunity because someone led them to believe they would get a certain job that never comes along there’s no legal ground to contest it. Why is this any different?

 

[MADHAT1]

Legally, does it even matter what Rutgers told him? Words are just words. Companies drag along their second tier back up candidates for positions all the time. If one of them were to turn down another opportunity because someone led them to believe they would get a certain job that never comes along there’s no legal ground to contest it. Why is this any different?

"Legally, does it even matter what Rutgers told him?"
The reason to sue might be the case and getting a few bucks from RU in an out of court settlement because Rutgers doesn't want it dragged out paying lawyers more than getting rid of the the pest quickly would cost and having their recruiting practices scrutinized

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

"Legally, does it even matter what Rutgers told him?"
The reason to sue might be the case and getting a few bucks from RU in an out of court settlement because Rutgers doesn't want it dragged out paying lawyers more than getting rid of the the pest quickly would cost and having their recruiting practices scrutinized

Good point. Paying him a lump sum of whatever he could’ve reasonably expected to collect in the Dominican league next season might be easier than going to court.