C.J. Gettys signs with Rutgers

The Rutgers men’s basketball team officially brought in some help yesterday for this coming season when 7-foot center C.J. Gettys signed on with Rutgers. Gettys will come in as a graduate transfer after spending last season at UNC-Wilmington.

“One of the main reasons for choosing Rutgers is for a change of atmosphere,” Gettys told Scarlet Nation. “Overall it's something different as a whole from CAA basketball, UNC-Wilmington, and now to Rutgers.”

The RU coaching staff spent a good deal of time recruiting Gettys, particularly assistant coach Jay Young.

“I talked to coach Young the most out of everyone from Rutgers,” Gettys said. “He was on the phone with me every day or at least every other day for a long period of time.”

A recent visit to Rutgers also made an impression on Gettys.

“I visited Rutgers back a week exactly from today on the 22nd [of August],” said Gettys. “I got a chance to tour the facilities, talked with some of the coaching staff, and even saw a little bit of the city of New Brunswick. Overall, the experience of the visit was amazing. The best part was just sitting down with coach [Steve] Pikiell and really understanding where he wants to take this team.

“He just wants to build a team of good guys and people that are going to work hard to rebuild this team and take them to the glory days.”

Gettys ended last season as part of a UNC-Wilmington team that made the NCAA Tournament and bowed out after a first round loss to Duke by just eight points.

Now, his new beginning at Rutgers is just days away.

“I officially report to Rutgers this Sunday,” Gettys said.