With returning players, there is always the hope that they will greatly improve the following season and for Rutgers, that could happen for any of its 5 returning players.
With Rutgers, a strong case could be made that Gevonte Ware will be the most improved next year. Ware is the only returning player to not start a game and played only in 6 games for a total of 36 minutes going 1 for 4 from the field and 0 of 2 from the line with 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 0 blocks and 8 fouls. Ware played less and was less effective than Baye Fall who played in 9 games for a total of 45 minutes going 2 of 6 from the field, 1 of 2 from the line, with 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 steal and 3 blocks.
Obviously, Ware has a lot of room for improvement because to be honest what I saw didn’t look good. Ware looked slow and not particularly athletic. Ware also is going for a redshirt because of injury.
Ware’s performance or lack thereof did not match what was said about him when he was recruited. In a podcast back in September of 2024, Mike and Ritchie had a lot of good things to say about him and noted that although he wasn’t a top 150 player, he was a solid 3 star. They described him as a good rebounder, athletic and bouncy who could shoot from the outside and even hit some 3s. Ware showed none of that last season.
As poorly as he performed, Pikiel wanted him back. Ritchie has suggested that it was because he was dirt cheap in the age of NIL. However, even if he was dirt cheap, Pikiel would have to have seen something if he wanted him to return.
There are several reasons to be optimistic about Ware this coming season. Whatever injury Ware had doesn’t appear to be one he can’t recover from. High school bigs often have difficulty getting used to playing against players who are bigger, stronger and faster than the players they faced in high school and need an adjustment period. There will be times when other teams have a power forward that they need someone with Ware’s size and strength to match up against. If Ware defies expectations and becomes a solid rotational player, it will be hard to not consider him for most improved.
With Rutgers, a strong case could be made that Gevonte Ware will be the most improved next year. Ware is the only returning player to not start a game and played only in 6 games for a total of 36 minutes going 1 for 4 from the field and 0 of 2 from the line with 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 0 blocks and 8 fouls. Ware played less and was less effective than Baye Fall who played in 9 games for a total of 45 minutes going 2 of 6 from the field, 1 of 2 from the line, with 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 steal and 3 blocks.
Obviously, Ware has a lot of room for improvement because to be honest what I saw didn’t look good. Ware looked slow and not particularly athletic. Ware also is going for a redshirt because of injury.
Ware’s performance or lack thereof did not match what was said about him when he was recruited. In a podcast back in September of 2024, Mike and Ritchie had a lot of good things to say about him and noted that although he wasn’t a top 150 player, he was a solid 3 star. They described him as a good rebounder, athletic and bouncy who could shoot from the outside and even hit some 3s. Ware showed none of that last season.
As poorly as he performed, Pikiel wanted him back. Ritchie has suggested that it was because he was dirt cheap in the age of NIL. However, even if he was dirt cheap, Pikiel would have to have seen something if he wanted him to return.
There are several reasons to be optimistic about Ware this coming season. Whatever injury Ware had doesn’t appear to be one he can’t recover from. High school bigs often have difficulty getting used to playing against players who are bigger, stronger and faster than the players they faced in high school and need an adjustment period. There will be times when other teams have a power forward that they need someone with Ware’s size and strength to match up against. If Ware defies expectations and becomes a solid rotational player, it will be hard to not consider him for most improved.
