Rutgers basketball adds veteran guard in transfer portal
Rutgers basketball landed an important commitment in the transfer portal on Thursday.
The Scarlet Knights added UMass transfer Noah Fernandes into the fold. Fernandes has 1 year of eligibility remaining and will spend it playing for Rutgers in the Big Ten.
Here’s his announcement:
https://twitter.com/noahfernandes_/status/1646558963402407940
Fernandes has been an excellent offensive player during his time in college basketball. He began his career at Wichita State, but the last 3 seasons he has been at UMass. He has scored in double figures during all 3 years with the Minutemen.
Last season, Fernandes averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 assists per contest. He’s a candidate to start at point guard for Rutgers this upcoming season.
Ironically, Fernandes also hit a game-winner against Rutgers:
Rutgers fans, you're getting an absolute dawg in @noahfernandes_! Tremendous leader and even better person. Going to be an outstanding addition to the Rutgers family ⚔️🛡
You'll be forgiving him soon enough for this moment 😂 Take good care of my man @CoachPikiell @stephen_hayn https://t.co/nEW2LcfhkA pic.twitter.com/dD0KGFWaUc
— Michael Bergman (@MLBergman_) April 13, 2023
Fernandes is a career 37.6% 3-point shooter, but he’s coming off of a career-year from beyond the arc. He shot 45.2% from long range this past season on a volume of 3.8 attempts per game.
Rutgers will be hoping to reach the NCAA Tournament next year for the 3rd straight season. That has not happened before in program history.