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Rutgers Basketball Targets 2016 Guard Who Decommited from UCF

By Aaron Breitman
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

With the Rutgers men's basketball team looking to add at least one more scholarship player for next season, it was unlikely they would find a quality player left in the class of 2016.  That changed earlier this week, as an intriguing guard prospect became available.

Carter-Sheppard had committed to UCF back in November to former head coach Donnie Jones. After UCF went 12-18 last season, Jones was fired in March and former Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins soon after. Dawkins hired a completely new staff and anytime a coaching change takes place, it's common for recruits to decommit. Rutgers didn't waste anytime giving the combo guard a call, as did several other schools.

Carter-Sheppard can play both guard positions and is a natural shooter, connecting on 260 shots from three-point range in his high school career in Virgina. He scored almost 1,500 points and led John Marshall high school to a 90-23 record during his four years at the school. He won the Division 3A Player of the Year his sophomore season, when he led his team to the state title.

The 6'1 guard needs to bulk up, as he is listed as only 160 lbs. His size is a reason for not being highly ranked, despite being a proven scorer and winner. However, he had plenty of offers before he committed to UCF, including from Cincinnati, Richmond, and Xavier, according to 247 sports.

Rutgers currently has just 10 scholarship players on the roster for next season and desperately needs a guard to add to their backcourt. Corey Sanders is the only true point guard on the team and Kansas State transfer Nigel Johnson is the only other guard who can bring the ball up and run the offense. Mike Williams and class of 2016 commit Matt Bullock will play on the perimeter and off the ball. Carter-Sheppard would potentially help solve two major needs, as he could play the point and is a legitimate three-point shooter.

The guard from Virginia just reopened his recruitment this week, so his situation is fluid. Rutgers was one of the first schools to call, so hopefully head coach Steve Pikiell can get Sheppard-Carter on campus very soon. The only visit the staff have scheduled for now is with Florida transfer Brandone Francis-Ramirez, who is scheduled to be on campus June 10th through 12th. The former 4-star recruit would have to sit out next season due to transfer rules. Having the opportunity to add a quality guard like Sheppard-Carter from the class of 2016 is a major surprise, but a welcomed one. Because of his skill set and the current roster depth for Rutgers, he has the potential to play meaningful minutes from day one. Here is Jeremy's senior season mixtape.