Dylan Harper believes that this class can change the trajectory of Rutgers basketball moving forward. That was the message on Monday from the five-star guard, a Rutgers basketball commit who is set to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday.
Speaking on Monday afternoon at a press conference for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Harper said that this star-studded class can be a program changer for Rutgers. Harper is joined by fellow five-star [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] in the Rutgers 2024 recruiting class.
And Bailey, like Harper, is playing in the McDonald’s All-American Game this week. Harper is the No. 3 player in the nation according to ESPN.
Asked on Monday if Rutgers can become a destination program for top recruits, Harper said that this class can do just that.
“Definitely, I think they’ve had other great players like my brother (Ron Harper, Jr.), Geo Baker, people like that,” Dylan Harper said.
“But I think for me and Ace to come in there and just change the culture, I think it’s going to change a lot of Rutgers history.”
Dylan Harper committed to Rutgers in December at an event in New York City that was hosted at the Fanatics headquarters. It wasn’t an easy decision, he said.
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Long considered a Rutgers lean, he remained uncommitted for much of year, choosing to carefully and pragmatically make his decision.
“I mean first off my decision – it was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make – probably in my lifetime,” Dylan Harper said.
“Just staying home – doing (it for) your family and just the people that are always there for you since Day 1. So I think that was probably the main thing that went to it.”
Harper’s teammate Bailey is the No. 1 player in the nation according to USA TODAY High School Sports.