Rutgers basketball has made its first major move of the 2026 offseason, securing a commitment from international guard Lewis Duarte. The 6-foot-5 prospect, who began his collegiate journey at New Mexico State, becomes the Scarlet Knights' inaugural transfer portal pickup, signaling an early boost to their backcourt depth.

Duarte brings a unique and intriguing path to Piscataway. A native of the Dominican Republic, he honed his skills at the prestigious Overtime Elite program in Atlanta after a standout high school career where he was named North Carolina's NCISAA 1A Player of the Year. Despite not seeing game action during his 2023 season with the Aggies, he has since gained valuable professional experience.

For the past two seasons, Duarte has been a starter for San Lazaro Jobo Bonito in his home country's professional league. There, he appeared in 38 games, averaging 8.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, demonstrating his growth and readiness for the high-major level of the Big Ten.

This addition addresses a key need for Rutgers, injecting size, international experience, and proven scoring ability into the lineup. As the transfer portal window heats up, landing a player of Duarte's caliber early is a positive sign for the program's recruiting momentum heading into a critical offseason.