SJSU forward Ralph Agee transfers to Rutgers

Rutgers men’s basketball likely filled out its roster for next season on Saturday with the addition of Ralph Agee. The 6’8” big man announced that he is transferring from San Jose State on social media. He took an official visit on campus last week after being recruited by Rutgers since he entered the portal in May.

Agee has a son named Kai and referenced in his post the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree to better his future as a key reason for continuing his college career at Rutgers.

The fifth year forward averaged 11.1 points on 56.9% shooting and 5.2 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game at San Jose State last season. He started 18 of 21 games and was much more productive in his second season playing for the Spartans in the Mountain West conference.

Agee is an efficient scorer in the post, as he was ranked 177th last season in effective field goal percentage at 57.1% and 271st in true shooting percentage at 58.3% per KenPom. He also gets to the foul line, as he had the 177th best free throw rate in the country last season at 45.0%. The Victorville, California native scored in double figures in 13 contests and became the first San Jose State player to earn Player of the Week honors in four seasons. After scoring 15 points, including the game winning basket in a 1 point win over Air Force, Agee posted career highs of 22 points and 14 rebounds two days later in a double digit win over the Falcons.

Agee has a good handle, solid passing ability and is very mobile for a true post player. He can play with his back to the basket, utilizes spin moves off the dribble while also has the ability to hit the mid-range jumper as well. He is an active player on both ends of the floor and on the glass. Agee could be the most skilled offensive big of the Pikiell era but how he plays defensively and rebounds will ultimately determine how much of a factor he becomes.

The big man is a physical player who can get into foul trouble, but he only fouled out three times in 51 career games at San Jose State, including just once last season. He does play with high energy and moves well around the basket. Agee has been serviceable from the foul line, making 61.8% on 110 attempts in two years at SJSU. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

The last time Rutgers added a transfer this late in the offseason was when Pikiell landed 7-footer CJ Gettys ahead of his first season on the banks. Gettys was a key addition to the program, as was JUCO big man Shaq Carter in recent seasons. Hopefully Agee will prove to be one as well next season. How productive he can be with the step up in competition in the Big Ten remains to be seen, but he adds legitimate depth and experience at a minimum.

Adding Agee to a frontcourt that includes Cliff Omoruyi, Dean Reiber, as well as Ron Harper Jr. and Aundre Hyatt, both of whom can play inside or outside, the Scarlet Knights are now much better positioned heading into next season from a depth perspective. If Agee can provide quality minutes in the rotation next season, Rutgers will be a better team because of it.

With Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. returning along with the addition of Agee, expectations for next season should be high.

Check out Agee’s highlights from last season here.