Photo: Geo Baker and Caleb McConnell helped Rutgers make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in nearly 50 years (Photo by Ben Solomon, Rutgers Athletics).
Knight Society announced today that Rutgers Basketball standout Caleb McConnell has officially become the first student-athlete to join its roster. McConnell, who is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, played alongside Knight Society founder Geo Baker over the past four seasons on a Rutgers team that made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in nearly 50 years.
“We are excited to announce Caleb as our first athlete within the Knight Society roster,” said Baker. “Caleb is a fifth-year senior who has given blood, sweat and tears to Rutgers University. He is the definition of somebody who bleeds scarlet, and those are the type of people we want both from our athletes and our members.”
One of the best defensive players in the nation during the 2021-22 season, McConnell registered 70 total steals on the year, which was the highest mark in the Big Ten. He also pulled down 171 rebounds and contributed 67 assists and 15 blocks to the Scarlet Knights.
McConnell enjoyed an incredible five-game run over ranked opponents this past February, first recording four-plus steals in wins over no. 13 Michigan State (four), no. 16 Ohio State (four), no. 13 Wisconsin (six) and no. 12 Illinois (four). The following game, he added three more steals against no. 5 Purdue that added up to 21 steals over five contests. That five-game total was the second-highest number in the Big Ten since the 2002-03 season.
“I am excited to officially join Knight Society and use this platform to interact with all my fans and supporters in new ways,” said McConnell. “I know together we can create something special for the Rutgers community.”
With an infrastructure that is based on NFT technology, NIL relationships, member benefits and event programming, Knight Society is an expansive concept that engages Rutgers fans, athletes, students, alumni, faculty and local businesses. Founded by former standout Rutgers student-athletes Geo Baker and Eric LeGrand, Knight Society seeks to provide unique value through facilitating experiences and interactions that are only available through membership. Some of those potential opportunities include private events with Rutgers athletes as well as discounts at local bars and restaurants.
For all of the latest information from Knight Society, make sure to follow us on social media: @KnightSociety_
PLEASE NOTE: Knight Society is an independent organization that is in no way affiliated with Rutgers University, nor is the company attempting to directly represent Rutgers University.