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In a lot of ways, Jordan Derkack seemed like great fit for Steve Pikiell’s Rutgers basketball program: A hard-nosed local kid, an accomplished defender, a prolific winner at Colonia High School and then during his first two collegiate seasons at Merrimack.
Now, the 6-foot-6 junior guard is looking for a fit elsewhere.
After one season with the Scarlet Knights, Derkack is entering the transfer portal as first reported by ESPN. He seeks a bigger role and increased playing time.
The former Northeast Conference Player of the Year started 10 games and averaged 17 minutes for the Scarlet Knights, averaging 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds. He shot 36 percent from the field, 25 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line.
Derkack turned in some big moments, scoring 26 in a loss to Michigan State and 16 in a win over Notre Dame, but never carved out a defined role and his court time declined over the final six weeks. Defensively, he was disruptive at times – but it was not an easy switch from Merrimack’s zone-exclusive scheme to Pikiell’s staple man-to-man.
Pikiell did rave about Derkack’s work ethic and motor, and he seemed like a great teammate. Rutgers is recruiting his younger brother Aiden Derkack, a four-star shooting guard who is a junior at Colonia High.
Although Rutgers’ season was a huge disappointment at 15-17, retention of at least some players is crucial to provide continuity as four incoming freshmen arrive and impact transfers are added to the mix. With the ability for colleges to share revenue with athletes imminent, the program is believed to be getting a $3.5 million piece of Rutgers’ $20 million revenue-sharing pie – and also has a $1 million appearance fee for name-image-likeness purposes coming from participation in the Players’ Era Festival tournament in November 2025 in Las Vegas.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Jordan Derkack entering transfer portal
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Now, the 6-foot-6 junior guard is looking for a fit elsewhere.
After one season with the Scarlet Knights, Derkack is entering the transfer portal as first reported by ESPN. He seeks a bigger role and increased playing time.
The former Northeast Conference Player of the Year started 10 games and averaged 17 minutes for the Scarlet Knights, averaging 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds. He shot 36 percent from the field, 25 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line.
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Derkack turned in some big moments, scoring 26 in a loss to Michigan State and 16 in a win over Notre Dame, but never carved out a defined role and his court time declined over the final six weeks. Defensively, he was disruptive at times – but it was not an easy switch from Merrimack’s zone-exclusive scheme to Pikiell’s staple man-to-man.
Pikiell did rave about Derkack’s work ethic and motor, and he seemed like a great teammate. Rutgers is recruiting his younger brother Aiden Derkack, a four-star shooting guard who is a junior at Colonia High.
Although Rutgers’ season was a huge disappointment at 15-17, retention of at least some players is crucial to provide continuity as four incoming freshmen arrive and impact transfers are added to the mix. With the ability for colleges to share revenue with athletes imminent, the program is believed to be getting a $3.5 million piece of Rutgers’ $20 million revenue-sharing pie – and also has a $1 million appearance fee for name-image-likeness purposes coming from participation in the Players’ Era Festival tournament in November 2025 in Las Vegas.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Jordan Derkack entering transfer portal
Continue reading...
