PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men’s basketball will welcome back Darren Buchanan Jr. for the 2026–27 season, as the redshirt senior forward/guard returns after a strong and impactful first year with the Scarlet Knights.
Buchanan Jr., who joined Rutgers from George Washington, brought experience, size, and athleticism to the wing and quickly became a key contributor on both ends of the floor during the 2025–26 campaign.
Darren averaged 8.1 points-per-game, had 3.9 rebounds, and shot 46 percent from the field.
“I’m super excited to be back for my senior season to play for Coach Pikiell and his staff,” Buchanan Jr. said. “I wanted to play in front of you all again. The energy at Jersey Mike’s Arena was unmatched all year and we definitely have unfinished business, so let’s get to it.”
“Darren has been a tremendous addition to our program,” said head coach Steve Pikiell. “He’s experienced, tough, and does a lot of things that help you win. His versatility on both ends of the floor and his leadership really stood out this past season. We’re excited to have him back and expect him to take another step forward.”
He turned in multiple standout performances throughout the season, including a team-high 17 points against Iowa and 17 points off the bench versus Washington. Buchanan Jr. recorded 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds in a win over Maryland and added 14 points against Michigan State. He scored 13 points, including five in overtime, in a win over Oregon and poured in a season-high 15 points—all in the second half—in a victory over UNLV.
One of his most complete efforts came in a win over Penn State, where he totaled eight points and a career-high 13 rebounds. He also logged a team-high 40 minutes and recorded his first double-double as a Scarlet Knight in a win over Northwestern. During the season, Buchanan Jr. reached a major milestone, scoring his 1,000th collegiate career at Penn State.
In addition to his on-court success, Buchanan Jr. was recognized nationally as a recipient of the 2025 Musial Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in sports celebrating class, character, and integrity.
Before Rutgers, Buchanan Jr. enjoyed a highly productive career at George Washington. During the 2024–25 season, he appeared in 32 games with 15 starts, averaging 10.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field. He recorded 18 double-digit scoring games, including three 20-point performances and five double-doubles.
In his breakout 2023–24 season, Buchanan Jr. earned Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honors after averaging 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He led all A-10 rookies in scoring and minutes played, while ranking among the conference leaders in field goal percentage, rebounding, and scoring. He posted 25 double-digit scoring games, including seven 20-point efforts and a 38-point performance against Fordham—an NCAA freshman season high.
Buchanan Jr. began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he redshirted during the 2022–23 season.
A Washington, D.C. native, Buchanan Jr. was a standout at Jackson-Reed High School, earning Gatorade Player of the Year and All-Met Player of the Year honors in 2022. A two-time DCIAA Player of the Year and state champion, he finished his high school career as one of the top prospects in the region and later competed on the Nike EYBL circuit with Team Durant.
With his experience, leadership, and all-around game, Buchanan Jr.’s return provides a major boost for the Scarlet Knights as they prepare for the 2026–27 season.