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Bailey was a loved figure within the Rutgers basketball office. And it wasn’t because the coaching staff had to coax him into the gym. “He doesn’t do too much else other than play basketball,” Rutgers teammate Jamichael Davis said. “He likes playing NCAA college football (video game). He likes a little Fortnite or Call of Duty. Other than that, he’s playing ball. “He gives off so much positive energy. He made people enjoy coming to work every day … even when we were going through hard times. Looking back at it, knowing where we came from, not too many people in his position have the attitude he has. It motivates me as a player to keep going.”
Before hearing their names called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at Barclays Center in Brooklyn next week, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey will be taking center stage at two other iconic New York sports venues. The former Rutgers basketball stars will each throw out the first pitch at a local MLB game over the next week.
Paul George on No. 1 draft pick debate: Ace Bailey has a little bit more upside than Cooper Flagg
Rutgers star Ace Bailey has a higher upside than Cooper Flagg, according to both Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George and former Stanford star and current Fox analyst Casey Jacobsen. “I think Ace Bailey is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside,” George said on the latest edition of “Podcast P with Paul George.” “I think Cooper Flagg, not to say he doesn’t have upside, he has amazing upside as well but I think Ace Bailey has a little bit more upside to him.”
Rutgers University freshman point guard Dylan Harper has the complete package at his position: a mid-range game, ability to get to the basket with ease and a consistent three-point shot. The former Don Bosco Prep High School alum also has court vision that causes hell for players on the opposing team. Averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 19 appearances this season for the Scarlet Knights has caught the attention of Los Angeles Lakers megastar LeBron James. “I’ve been watching him for quite a while,” LeBron James told me Monday night following LA’s 112-107 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “He calls me ‘unc and I call him nephew. I love what he’s been doing at Rutgers, but I’ve been watching him for a long time now. A special kid, a special talent. He’s going to be really good in this league, and comes from a great family. Me and Harp, his pops, go a while back. I’m excited for what he’s been doing right now at Rutgers and what he’s going to continue to do in the future.”
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Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft? Cooper Flagg, Duke: 16 votes Dylan Harper, Rutgers: 2 Airious "Ace" Bailey, Rutgers: 1 V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor: 1 On the heels of his positive showing in practices with the U.S. Select team, the top spot in the 2025 draft appears to be Flagg's to lose. The Duke-bound forward is likely to be the top defender in college basketball next season and continues to build out a more versatile offensive game, putting him in the driver's seat at No. 1 as a potential game-changer with a rare combination of skills. "I haven't studied this class deeply enough yet and I'm sure our boards will all change, but from what I saw at Hoop Summit and in Vegas with USA Basketball, good luck catching that guy," one voter said. "[Flagg] could start for our team tonight and make a huge impact with his toughness, feel and instincts on both ends. His shooting looks good also."
Rutgers basketball center Cliff Omoruyi announced Thursday he will explore the NBA Draft process, but importantly will retain his collegiate eligibility. He will have until the end of May 31 to withdraw and return to college for his senior season.
Caleb McConnell, the conference's best defensive player, will play out his fifth season with Rutgers basketball as a postgrad. The 6-foot-7 senior announced his return Wednesday after spending the past two months exploring the NBA Draft process.
Ron Harper Jr. has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine May 16-20 in Chicago, NJ Advance Media has learned The former Rutgers basketball star will be among about 70 players invited to the prestigious event where they will participate in workouts and games in front of scouts and executives from all 30 NBA teams. Last year 69 players were invited.
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Ron Harper Jr. committed to Rutgers basketball with a two-star rating and a famous name. He leaves with 1,525 collegiate points, 68 victories, three winning seasons, two NCAA Tournament appearances, the most memorable shot in program history and, most important, his own distinct legacy as a cornerstone figure in the Scarlet Knights’ rise from the ashes.
Senior guard Geo Baker, the face of the Rutgers basketball program who led the Scarlet Knights to their first NCAA Tournament in 30 years, will return to Piscataway for one final season, he announced in a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday.
Senior guard Geo Baker, the face of the Rutgers basketball program who led the Scarlet Knights to their first NCAA Tournament in 30 years, announced on Wednesday that he will enter his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility, leaving the door open to a return to Piscataway next season.
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