Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, two of the top-ranked recruits in the nation, are on a mission to change the course of Rutgers‘ basketball program. Inspired by NBA icons Michael Jordanand Steph Curry, these young athletes are set to bring a winning mentality to a team with a long history of struggles in the NCAA.
Harper, ranked No. 2 in his class, and Bailey, ranked No. 3, chose Rutgers over traditional basketball powerhouses like Duke and Kansas. Together, they aim to lead Rutgers to unprecedented success in the Big Ten and beyond.
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Mentorship from legends
Harper has received valuable advice from Michael Jordan, his father Ron Harper Sr.’s former Chicago Bulls teammate. Jordan encouraged him to stay committed to the game and put in the hard work required to excel. Harper took that message to heart, opting to make a bold decision by committing to Rutgers-a team with only two NCAA Tournament appearances since 1991.
Alongside Harper, Ace Bailey has also benefited from the wisdom of another NBA great, Steph Curry. Both Harper and Bailey participated in Curry’s annual basketball camp, where they witnessed Curry’s unmatched work ethic up close. For Bailey, seeing Curry’s relentless dedication to perfecting his shot was a game-changer. “He doesn’t miss in games, and he doesn’t miss in practice,” Bailey said, adding that Curry’s approach showed him the importance of hard work to win.
Building a new legacy at Rutgers
Rutgers basketball has long been viewed as an underdog, but Harper and Bailey believe they can turn things around. Their older inspiration, Ron Harper Jr., was part of a Rutgers squad that ended a decades-long drought by reaching the national rankings and the NCAA Tournament. Now, it’s their turn to elevate the program to new heights.
Harper and Bailey’s arrival marks Rutgers’ highest-ranked recruiting class in history. With these two stars on the roster, the Scarlet Knights have the talent to compete at the top levels of college basketball. Their goal is to achieve what Rutgers hasn’t in decades: a Big Ten title, deep tournament runs, and a shot at the Final Four.
While both players are potential one-and-done prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft, they are fully focused on making history at Rutgers first. With the support and mentorship from two of the NBA’s biggest names, Harper and Bailey are ready to etch their names into college basketball history.
