Rutgers coach speaks on five-star guard’s absence in crushing loss to USC

absence Rutgers 5 star scholar Kiyomi McMiller Sunday night time’s 92-42 loss to No. 4 USC at Jersey Mike’s Enviornment felt lopsided.

Information broke that McMiller could be absent from the match after the choice was introduced Instagram Accounting for about six hours earlier than tipoff on Sunday afternoon.

Within the submit, she apologized to the followers and wrote that the choice was made by Rutgers coach Cookies Washington.

“The factor for Kiyomi is we will maintain it inner,” Washington mentioned when requested about McMiller’s standing within the postgame press convention.

She then spoke about how teaching is “not nearly what occurs on the sphere on recreation day”, however concerning the affect it will possibly have in all points, from character to development.

Followers weren’t the one ones dissatisfied by McMiller’s absence.

So was USC star JuJu Watkins.

“She’s participant,” mentioned Watkins, who completed with 23 factors.

“I am at all times excited to play in opposition to good gamers so yeah, I feel I used to be a bit dissatisfied that it wasn’t on the bottom however I feel the principle objective is at all times to win, with or with out gamers.”

McMiller leads Rutgers in scoring with 19.9 factors per recreation and complete assists (45). She additionally averaged 5.4 rebounds and recorded 15 steals and 9 blocks.

Final month, a video surfaced of McMiller pulling off a powerful crossover transfer in opposition to Wagner It went viraldrawing comparisons to the NBA properly Allen Iverson.

McMiller additionally earned Large Ten Freshman of the Week honors earlier this season.

In 2023, she turned the primary highschool athlete to attain this Signing of the NIL deal With the Jordanian model.

The Maryland native spent the final two seasons there High school career at Life Middle Academy in Burlington. She averaged 30.1 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 4 assists and a couple of.8 steals as a senior.

Thanks for counting on us to ship journalism you may belief. Please contemplate supporting us with a subscription.

Joey Chandler could be reached at jchandler@njadvancemedia.com