Rutgers basketball continues to reload after sputtering to a 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten) finish last season. The Scarlet Knights already put together one of the best recruiting classes in school history, and now they've added even more talent through the transfer portal.
Rutgers landed San Diego transfer P.J. Hayes on Wednesday, he announced via his X account.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard is a knockdown shooter, as he led the Toreros with a 39.7% clip from long range last season. The 2024-25 campaign will be his final year of eligibility.
Hayes is the Knights' fourth transfer add of the offseason. How will the Waconia, Minnesota native fit into the program's plans?
Hayes will be essential to Rutgers basketball's perimeter shooting
Hayes, who averaged 10.5 points per game on 42.5% shooting with San Diego last season, should be able to give Rutgers' perimeter shooting a shot in the arm. The Knights shot just 28.7% from long range last year, good for just 352nd in the country.
Hayes has full confidence in his ability to be a sniper for Rutgers, via the university's website.
“I just know this team is going to be really good next year,” Hayes said. “I met a bunch of the guys and they are all great. I think with my shooting ability, I can really space the floor for them and I know that they'll find me when I'm open. I haven't played with a program that has this much talent coming in, and I think I can help make these guys better than they already are.”
Indeed, this will be the first time that Hayes will play on a team that's projected to make noise in the NCAA Tournament. The Toreros finished fifth in the West Coast Conference last season, which wasn't even good enough for the NIT.
The Knights meanwhile, sport the nation's fourth-best recruiting class, via 247 Sports' composite rankings, which take multiple outlets into account. The group is highlighted by Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, who rank second and third in the country, respectively.
Playing with elite teammates should help Hayes unlock a new level of his game.
“I can shoot the lights out,” Hayes continued. “You can expect that every shot I shoot is with confidence and I think it's going in every time. I think I can be sneaky and athletic and I am good at finding my teammates and making them better. I think I can bring an energy the fans will love.”
Head coach Steve Pikiell also seemed excited at the prospect of having a reliable shooter in his rotation, something he's rarely had the luxury of during his time on the banks.
“We are excited to officially welcome P.J. Hayes to The Knighthood,” Pikiell said. “We are adding another great student-athlete, from a great family, who can shoot the basketball. P.J. is a player who has shown the ability to hit nine three-pointers in a game and he can pass it as well. I love the basketball journey that he's taken, and I am proud to add another elite student-athlete to our program.”
While games aren't won on paper, it would be surprising to see Rutgers basketball finish outside the Big Ten's top half this year after the addition of Hayes.
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