Rutgers basketball fans are left puzzled by the absence of freshman standout Kiyomi McMiller. The situation started during the Scarlet Knights’ game against USC. Kiyomi McMiller, averaging 19.9 points per game, was expected to face off against the Trojasn’s rising star, JuJu Watkins, in what could’ve been a high-stakes showdown. But nothing of such sort happened.

Instead, McMiller was benched during Rutgers’ crushing 92-42 loss to USC—marking their worst home defeat in school history. Coach Coquese Washington didn’t give much insight into McMiller’s absence, simply saying, “I’m not going into specifics of it. Things happen in programs, and you have to make decisions and live with the consequences.” This lack of clarity had raised questions. But if that wasn’t enough, the situation repeated as Rutgers took on Minnesota.

According to Rutgers’ associate director of communications, McMiller did practice with the team. However, despite being listed as available to play in the Big Ten availability report, McMiller didn’t take the court. Fans were left scratching their heads again.

A post on X called out the situation, stating, “What a mess of a situation. Side note: this is now the second time in less than a week that a Rutgers team — at the very least — did not include a star player who was supposedly a game-time decision on the pregame availability report. Not a good look.” It’s a fair point, especially given the back-and-forth nature of McMiller’s status.

Looking back, McMiller’s limited playing time in a recent game against Maryland was seemingly the first instance. She only played 24 minutes, managing to contribute 14 points, five rebounds, and an assist. But there were issues too—like her 7 turnovers, which stood out in a game that ended with Rutgers facing a 78-61 defeat to the Terrapins.

While Coach Washington’s focus on player development and character growth has been lauded by some, there are others who feel it might be coming at the cost of team performance. McMiller herself hasn’t stayed silent about it.

Kiyomi McMiller’s absence leaves Rutgers struggling on the court

The freshman took to social media, acknowledging that her absence was Coach Washington’s decision. She apologized to her fans, thanked them for their unwavering support, and expressed hope for the future. Still, the tension inside the Rutgers locker room is definitely building.

Without McMiller, Rutgers has struggled, and it shows in their performance. The embarrassing 92-42 loss to USC for one. The star Trojan, JuJu Watkins, who led her team with 23 points, said, “She’s a good player. Always excited to play against good players,” showing respect for McMiller’s talent.

The Scarlet Knights struggled once again as they took on Minnesota. Despite Destiny Adams’ 28-point effort to record 1000 career points, Rutgers fell 76-50 for a fourth consecutive loss. For a team that once placed so much hope in McMiller’s potential, her absence is now a glaring void. With no clear timeline on her return, Rutgers faces a significant challenge not only on the court but also in terms of internal dynamics. Especially when her father has confirmed that she’s not looking for a transfer.

Right now, the ball is firmly in Coach Washington’s court. But if Rutgers hopes to turn their season around, getting Kiyomi McMiller back in the lineup might just be the key to getting them back on track.