Rutgers men's basketball is making serious moves in the transfer portal, and the latest addition is set to bring some serious size to the frontcourt. Former Kansas State center Dorin Buca has committed to play his final season of eligibility in Piscataway, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Standing at an imposing 7-foot-2, Buca is no stranger to the college game, but his path to Rutgers is anything but typical. At 24 years old by the time the season tips off, the Italian big man brings a level of maturity and international experience that could prove invaluable. During his lone season with the Wildcats, he averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 27 games, logging just under 13 minutes per contest. While those numbers might not jump off the page, his potential is clear.
Buca's journey to Kansas State was a winding one, rooted in his native Italy. He spent the 2023-24 season with Libertas 1947 Livorno in the Italian Serie B, where he averaged 3.3 points on an efficient 56.6% shooting, along with 3.3 rebounds and nearly a block per game in just over 10 minutes of action. The following year, he moved up to the Serie A2 with Akern Livorno Libertas, boosting his production to 5.6 points per game on a scorching 60.8% from the field, while pulling down 5.3 rebounds and swatting 1.2 shots in 16.7 minutes per game.
Of course, no player is without areas for improvement. Buca's biggest red flag heading into this season is his turnover rate, which sat at a concerning 31.5% last year—nearly double the typical team average of around 17%. His offensive rating, per KenPom, also falls slightly below average, suggesting there's room for growth in his decision-making and efficiency.
Still, the Scarlet Knights are betting on his size and potential to anchor the paint. Buca started four games for the Wildcats last season, and he'll now compete for the starting center role with Virginia Tech transfer Christian Gurdak. With two big men battling for minutes, Rutgers fans have plenty of reason to be excited about the depth and competition brewing in the frontcourt this offseason.