Forward Chris Nwuli, No. 41 in 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 of the 2025 class.

Steve Pikiell’s program didn’t get involved in Nwuli’s recruitment 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 he cares about his players. He is hard on his guys in practice and encourages them to be better players and people.”

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

Nwuli is one of the more explosive athletes in the senior class. He has quick-twitch ability to get off the ground with great burst and elevation, and his second jump is effective because it enables him to get easy points on putbacks or block shots at the other end. He’s a lob threat, especially in transition, and he’s 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 A.J. Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes with the Oakland Soldiers on the Nike EYBL circuit this past spring and summer. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds during the regular season, and then put up 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds at the Nike Peach Jam in July. He also showed some range out to the perimeter, making better than 47% from behind the arc on low value — but he did make a pair of 3s in the Peach Jam title game.

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