As a versatile 6-foot-8 forward with a polished skill set and an adeptness for blocking shots, new Rutgers commit Bryce Dortch brings two-way tenacity to the Scarlet Knights.
Dortch, who formulated a strong relationship with Rutgers assistant coach TJ Thompson during the opening phases of his recruitment, is a high level finisher with a knack for knifing his way into traffic and finishing twisting layups. He embraces contact at the rim. The long and athletic Dortch has become a catch and levitate above the rim threat, which was notable multiple times this past season.
Playing for both Brimmer And May HS (MA) and under longtime northeast AAU coach Vin Pastore with the Mass Rivals, Dortch has been an essential component of a high octane offense. The aspect which differentiates him is his nose for the rim and the ability to beeline to the basket. He is able to finish hard drives, attacking from 18 to 20 feet away from the rim with relative ease.
At the same time, however, Dortch has made the mid range game a finer point of his hardwood trade.
He has extended his feathery touch out to the three-point line. Investing in long and arduous unseen gym hours has paid dividends for Dortch, who has improved the consistency of his shot.
Dortch has become a vertically explosive player, albeit his game is more predicated on wide ranging skill and sound decision making. He has rapidly worked his way into a sturdy ball handler, becoming more comfortable putting the ball on the deck and creating space. This season, Dortch developed as a willing passer with pinpoint acumen on his reads. With his length, fleet of foot, and a multi-positional approach as a four star wing, Dortch adds to the already lofty expectations for a highly prominent 2024 class.
The Scarlet Knights have secured commitments from 6-foot-10, 225-pound mountain man Lathan Sommerville of The Skill Factory (GA) and the highest profile recruit in program history in 6-foot-10 unicorn Ace Bailey, out of national power McEachern (GA). Dortch adds depth to this group of multi-talented forwards. And so Rutgers has assembled a nationally known 2024 class which continues to generate buzz and fanfare.
Dortch comes from a reputable AAU program in the aforementioned Mass Rivals. Under Pastore, Mass Rivals has churned out a steady crop of high level talent. The program has produced the likes of Noah Vonleh (Indiana, NBA), David Duke (Providence College, NBA), and most recently dynamic lead guard Kur Teng. Teng recently chose Michigan State over Rutgers, Providence, and a handful of high majors throughout the country.
