Freshmen NBA prospects Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey lead new-look No. 25 Rutgers
East forward Ian Jackson (11) defends West guard Dylan Harper (2) during the first quarter of the McDonald's All American boys' basketball game Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Kevin M. Cox
Rutgers (15-17, 7-13 Big Ten)
In less than a year, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell has transformed a squad that finished with a losing record, lost four starters in the transfer portal and has three players returning into a preseason AP Top 25 team ranked No. 25.
That's what the greatest recruiting class in Rutgers history can do. Guard Dylan Harper and guard/forward Ace Bailey were among the top high school prospects and not only did they both choose Rutgers, they are considered potential NBA lottery picks.
The Scarlet Knights also return big man Emmanuel Ogbole and guards Jeremiah Williams and Jamichael Davis.
Players to watch
Harper is the son of NBA star Ron Harper and the brother of former Scarlet Knight Ron Harper Jr. He averaged 23 points as a senior at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey.
The 6-foot-10 Bailey averaged 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks at McEachern High School in Georgia.
Williams (redshirt senior, G, 6-4, 12.2 ppg) started 11 of the final 12 games and had 34 assists and 14 steals last season.
Departures and arrivals
Five players, including C Cliff Omoruyi (Alabama), G Derek Simpson (St. Joseph's) and G Gavin Griffins (Nebraska), transferred while G Noah Fernandes and F Aundre Hyatt used up their eligibility. Pikiell used the portal to bring in guards Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan), P.J. Hayes IV (San Diego), Jordan Derkack (Merrimack) and forward Zach Martini (Princeton). The coach also recruited freshmen forwards Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch and Dylan Grant.
Rutgers' Ace Bailey speaks during the Big Ten men's NCAA college basketball media day Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Rosemont, Ill. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
Top games
The season begins at home against Wagner on Nov. 6. For the first time in the Pikiell era, the Scarlet Knights will play in a Thanksgiving tournament with games against Notre Dame and No. 2 Alabama (Nov. 27). The Big Ten schedule includes two games against No. 14 Purdue, a home game against No. 22 UCLA (Jan. 13) and a road game against No. 17 Indiana (Jan. 2).
Facts and figures
Only two of the 11 players who averaged double-digits in playing time last season are back (Williams and Davis). … In losing Omoruyi, the Scarlet Knights lost 93 of their 167 blocked shots. ... Rutgers struggled shooting from the field, averaging roughly 39% from the field and 28.7% from 3-point range.
