A.J. Rudowitz and the Skyhawks are flying high at 15-2 and ranked No. 13 in the country.

Cranbury Press: A.J. Stands For 'Awesome Job' At Stonehill

By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor

At 6-foot-6, when A.J. Rudowitz takes a step forward, it's a biiiiig step.

   The 2006 Monroe Township High School graduate has taken just such a step for the Stonehill College men's basketball team this season.

   After being unranked the first part of the year, the Skyhawks moved into the National Association of Basketball Coach's Division II Top 25 on Jan. 13, where they debuted at No. 20 with a 12-2 record. It is their first national ranking since the season prior to Rudowitz's arrival, when they went to the Final Four.

   "It's always been a pretty good Division II program," Rudowitz said. "Not making the NCAA Tournament my first two years is not what this school is used to."

   Things may return to normal this season.

Since last week, the won-lost mark has ballooned to 15-2 with nine straight wins, the ranking improved to No. 13, and Rudowitz was a major reason for it all. He led the team in scoring (13.0 ppg), rebounding (7.5 per game), blocked shots (25), steals (24) and field-goal percentage among regulars (54 percent).

   "This year A.J. has been getting better throughout the season and teams are very much geared towards stopping him," said coach Dave McLaughlin, who recently won his 100th game at Stonehill. "His progression throughout the year, skill level and ability to understand the importance of taking care of the ball has allowed him to make progress each game. He has a tremendous upside and our hope is that his approach this year stays consistent so he continues to raise his game to another level.

   "He has not only grown as a player, but his leadership potential is beginning to show both on and off of the court. He is acting like an older player and because of the way he approaches practice and games, has gained the respect of his teammates."

   It's not like Rudowitz was a slouch his first two years.

   After leading the Falcons to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III title game and winning Greater Middlesex Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior, Rudowitz enrolled at the traditional Division II power in Easton, Mass.

   As a freshman, he started 21 of 28 games, averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds and earning a berth on the Northeast-10 Conference All-Rookie team. During one stretch, he was Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week three straight weeks.

   Last year, Rudowitz averaged 12 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds. He was ninth in the conference in field-goal percentage (53.9 percent) and eighth in free-throw percentage (83.3).

   This season, Rudowitz has taken his game to another level and the Skyhawks have followed.

   "The first two years, I played well, but this year I definitely have a lot more confidence," he said. "When we need a basket, I try to demand the ball as much as possible. I realize if I touch the ball, I might not score, but I could find someone else.

   "Early in the season, I was scoring a lot. Now that defenses are doubling me and sink down low when I get the ball, I have to find the open man."

   The forward seems to have gotten the hang of that, as his 35 assists are third on the team.

   "It has been a pleasure seeing A.J. mature as a player as well as an individual over the past few years," McLaughlin said. "In particular, his maturity level from his sophomore year to this year is quite impressive."

   Rudowitz said he prepared for this season the same way as usual, playing in the Jersey Shore Summer League and a Monroe men's league. One area he paid more attention to was weightlifting, since he is mainly used as a low-post man in Stonehill's motion offense.

   "I wanted to get my strength up," said Rudowitz, who increased his weight to 220 after gaining 10 pounds of muscle. "That was one of the main things holding my game back. It was tough to get position in the post. Instead of catching the ball on the block, I'd catch it five or six feet out, which would make it tougher to get a good shot."

   He has also stepped things up in the most important area of the game.

   "On the court he has made solid strides on the offensive end, but the impressive jump this year in his game is on the defensive end of the floor," McLaughlin said. "Much of this has to do with his increased strength levels and high basketball IQ. He anticipates very well and understands the concept of team defense."

   That should not come as a surprise, considering Rudowitz is as smart in the classroom as he is on the court. He made the Academic All-Conference team as a sophomore and is well on his way to a repeat honor after gaining a 3.83 GPA last semester. His overall GPA is 3.5 and he is a member of the St. Thomas More Law Society at Stonehill. With an eye on going to law school, Rudowitz plans on taking the LSAT this summer.

   He also finds time to keep tabs on Monroe's red-hot basketball team, which includes his brother Brian.

   "I'm just trying to do good in the classroom and I've been doing surprisingly well," Rudowitz said with a laugh. "I didn't even do this well in high school. I'm able to budget my time. A lot of grades in college are based on tests, I'm pretty good at taking tests."

   Rudowitz's academic endeavors are not lost on his coach.

   "A.J.'s performance in the classroom is very impressive," McLaughlin said. "The way he prioritizes academics as well as balances his educational and athletic commitments helps to truly define A.J. as a student-athlete."

   It has all been like a wonderful dream for Rudowitz, except for the frigid New England winters that force him to wear coats even when he's inside.

"It's a little rough, but I'm loving it up here," he said. "It's been more than I hoped it would be. I really didn't know what to expect coming to college. It's kind of far away, you're meeting new people. But it's been great."

It's been great for Rudowitz.

In turn, he has been great for the Stonehill basketball team.