Tag: Dylan Harper

Five-star Jordan Smith Jr. offered by Rutgers basketball

Jordan Smith Jr. is offered by Rutgers men’s basketball this week.

A big-time offer went out from Rutgers basketball this week to Jordan Smith Jr.

The Rutgers basketball recruiting target is part of the United States national team that will participate in the U17 FIBA World Cup.

A five-star guard from Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, Virginia), Smith is the No. 8 player in the 247Sports Composite. He is the second-best shooting guard in the class of 2026 in the 247 rankings.

He is a class of 2026 recruit.

On3 ranks him as the top player in Virginia in their Industry Rankings and the seventh-best overall recruit nationally. He has a strong and well-rounded skill set, with the ability to put the ball on the floor and a very fluid shooting machine. He is silky smooth in transition.

Defensively, he works hard on and off the ball.

Not surprisingly, he has a strong offer list that includes Georgetown, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Ohio State, Tennessee, Villanova and Virginia Tech among others.

Smith posted about the offer from Rutgers via his social media on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Rutgers had an impressive class of 2024 that featured two recruits ranked as five-star prospects in forward Ace Bailey and guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag].

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The class was ranked top-10 nationally.

Rutgers basketball’s top scorer, Jeremiah Williams, set to play in the JSBL

Jeremiah Williams is set to play in the JSBL.

A heavy Rutgers basketball presence in the Jersey Shore Basketball League got a bolt of big news on Thursday. Jeremiah Williams, the top scorer for Rutgers last season, is set to play in the league.

Williams will play for the WCT Warriors. Last season for Rutgers, Williams showed some serious flashes of potential despite being limited to just 12 games.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He is a big returning piece for Rutgers and a veteran presence on a roster that is exploding with talent. Among the projected key pieces for the Scarlet Knights this season are five-star forward [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] and five-star guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag].

 

In a social media post announcing his commitment to Rutgers, the league said that Williams will be a significant part of a Warriors group that “should be one of the most improved teams” this summer.

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The league began play in the late 1960s and is NCAA-sanctioned.

Andy Katz predicts Rutgers men’s basketball to return to the NCAA Tournament

Andy Katz predicts that Rutgers basketball will return to the NCAA Tournament.

After an up-and-down season, Rutgers men’s basketball has plenty to prove next season. Big Ten Network analyst and college basketball insider Andy Katz expects Rutgers to be headed to March Madness again.

Expectations are also higher due to an influx of talent that will include potential stars in [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag], [autotag]Lathan Somerville[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Dortch[/autotag].  Katz expects the Scarlet Knights to make a March Madness appearance for the first time since 2022.

There certainly is plenty of transition this offseason for Rutgers as only three players from last season are projected to return. That list includes Jeremiah Williams, one of Rutgers’ best scorers. In 12 games last year, Williams averaged 12.2 points while shooting a career-high 44.4 percent from the field.

Will we see @RutgersMBB and @UCLAMBB back in the Dance next season? 🕺 @TheAndyKatz says YES. #B1GMBball pic.twitter.com/rsRBnnwsS5

— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) May 31, 2024

Although Katz is high on Rutgers, that was not the only team in the conference he highlighted. He also picked UCLA as a team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament after not making the cut last year.

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In a social media post on X, Katz highlighted some of the talent UCLA has brought in. That list includes Kode Johnson, who transferred from USC, and a talented freshman, Eric Perry. They will be led by veterans Andy Mara and Dylan Andrews. During their first year in the Big Ten, UCLA will look to make a good first impression.

 

Former NBA player Stephen Bardo highlights upcoming Rutgers vs. Michigan State matchup

Stephen Bardo is anticipating one Rutgers game in particular this year.

When Rutgers basketball takes the court to start this upcoming season, they will look very different than just a few months ago. That is partly due to a star-studded freshman class that includes the five-star pair of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.

While the talented duo has created plenty of excitement in and around the Rutgers basketball program, they are also getting national attention.

On Monday, college basketball and NBA analyst Stephen Bardo highlighted Rutgers vs. Michigan State as one game he is looking forward to. While Bardo touched on Rutgers’s talent, he also has high hopes for Michigan State. That is due to a roster that includes Jeremy Fears and Xavier Booker.

I Want To See Michigan State @ Rutgers!https://t.co/JT2DX4iJcd pic.twitter.com/bqmZbCq62K

— Stephen Bardo (@stephenbardo) June 3, 2024

 

“I always love calling games there because I love the energy of that place. I get mad love out there,” Bardo said in his social media post.

For Rutgers, this matchup will be their shot at redemption. During the 2023-2024 campaign, Rutgers went 0-1 against Michigan State. In a 73-55 loss, the Scarlet Knights shot 37 percent from the field and turned the ball over ten times.

Although the college basketball season is months away, fans can already start marking games on the calendar. For Bardo, the Michigan State and Rutgers matchup is one game fans shouldn’t miss.

Watch as Ace Bailey enters autograph signing, daps up Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper

Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper meet fans, sign autographs on Saturday.

Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper had appearances on Saturday as the teammates held their first public autograph signings since signing with Rutgers basketball.

The five-star duo of Bailey and Harper are the highest-ranked players to ever commit to Rutgers. In fact, Bailey is the No. 1 recruit in the nation according to USA TODAY High School Sports.

Bailey and Harper both participated in an autograph signing at the Morris County Card Show on Saturday. The event was held at the Police Athletic League facility in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Well over 100 Rutgers fans lined up for both players. Harper signed in the morning and Bailey in the afternoon.

Bailey entered with his usual swagger:

 

And then he dapped up Harper:

 

Bailey and Harper are the focal points of a top-10 national recruiting class for Rutgers.

Rutgers basketball offers A.J. Dybantsa (the top recruit ’25 recruit in the nation)

A.J. Dybantsa is offered by Rutgers basketball.

On Wednesday, Rutgers basketball offered A.J. Dybantsa, the top-ranked player in the nation.

Dybantsa is a consensus five-star recruit and ranked the top player in the class of 2025 by ESPN. Thursday’s offer from Rutgers sees them join a recruitment that includes  Alabama, Baylor, UConn, Duke, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Providence and USC among others.

The talented guard is a potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick in 2026 and holds offers from many of the top programs in the nation. He brings a lot to the table, including the ability to score in bunches.

Last season for Prolific Prep, Dybantsa averaged 21.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He also added 29 steals and eight blocks to his resume. While he has made headlines due to his offense, Dybantsa also has the ability to be an elite defender at the next level.

He will transfer to play for Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah) for his senior season.

 

Getting involved with Dybantsa is certainly intriguing for Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights welcome a 2024 class that includes two five-stars in [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] and [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag] to campus this summer. Dybantsa is certainly of that caliber of player.

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Although the college basketball world will be watching what Dybantsa does closely, a decision is still months away. He is expected to pick several schools this summer and early late fall before making a final commitment.

TBT – Rutgers basketball incoming forward Ace Bailey is an explosive, elite athlete

Rutgers basketball’s Ace Bailey is a special and unique player.

On Throwback Thursday, a simple reminder of how special Ace Bailey is and what a special kind of talent he has the potential to be for Rutgers basketball.

Bailey, a consensus five-star forward, joins five-star guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag] as the foundation of a top-10 recruiting class for Rutgers basketball. The duo of Bailey and Harper mark the highest-ranked commits in the program’s history.

While playing in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Bailey showed off the uniqueness of his skillset. There is the high-flying Bailey who can play above the rim and can posterize opponents.

Then there is the Bailey who has grown his game to include an impressive outside game with considerable range.

These two components of Bailey’s game have been seen consistently from Bailey over the past year.

Here is the elite athleticism as Bailey gets to the rim:

 

And then there is Bailey in this cut-up, showing his athleticism and shot-blocking ability but also his range.

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Over the past year, Bailey has really developed a nice outside game.

 

USA TODAY High School Sports has Bailey as the top-ranked recruit in the nation.

And for the first time in New Jersey, the duo of Bailey and Harper will be together this weekend for an autograph signing in Parsippany as part of the Morris County Card Show:

Photo credit: Morris County Card Show.

This is the first public signing for either Bailey or Harper since they signed their National Letter of Intents with Rutgers.

Watch Rutgers basketball commit Lathan Sommerville hits the gym, shows his growing game

Lathan Sommerville has elevated his game this offseason.

Lathan Sommerville had a recent gym session where the Rutgers basketball commit showed not just his athleticism but the emerging nuances of his game.

Ranked a four-star by ESPN and Rivals (where he is the No. 105 recruit in the nation), Sommerville arrives at Rutgers this summer with the potential to be an impact player and a multi-year starter in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-10 center from Richwoods High School (Peoria, Illinois) showed the ability to run the court and has a growing outside game that is impressive.

Combine that with being strong in the post as well as being a good rebounder and a shot-blocking threat and Sommerville’s skill set projects very well to the next level.

But it is the fluidity of motion that really stands out in Sommerville’s game. Watch the way Sommerville moves in these highlights.

It is clear that he has put in significant time into his footwork and increasing his agility this offseason:

 

And this one:

 

Sommerville comes in as part of a strong Rutgers basketball recruiting class that features five-star forward [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] and five-star guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag].

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The duo will be together this weekend at an autograph signing in Parsippany as part of the Morris County Card Show:

Photo credit: Morris County Card Show.

Watch this! Rutgers basketball recruit Tay Kinney is a highlight reel on the court

Tay Kinney is a special athlete.

Tay Kinney is nothing short of being explosive. The Rutgers basketball recruit, one of the top players in the nation in the class of 2026, has a unique blend of athleticism and a refined skill set.

Rutgers offered Kinney at the end of April. The 6-foot guard from Newport High School (Newport, Kentucky) has a strong offer list that includes Cincinnati, Dayton, Illinois, Louisville, Notre Dame, Purdue and Texas A&M among others.

He is a four-star and ranked the No. 30 recruit in the nation by ESPN, where he is also the fifth-best point guard in the nation. He is also ranked as a four-star by Rivals and 247Sports.

Kinney has the ability to get to the rim, almost with ease. He is a glider in his movement and then can explode upwards vertically.

This, coupled with a good handle and some very nice range, makes him a complete guard.

Check out a couple of these highlights as Kinney is a name to watch:

 

 

Rutgers put together a strong class of 2024 that included five-star forward [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] (the No. 1 recruit in the nation according to USA TODAY High School Sports) and five-star guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag].

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The class was ranked top-10 in the nation and No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite.

 

 

Rutgers basketball predicted as landing spot for transfer portal center Ugonna Onyenso

Rutgers basketball predicted to land a transfer portal center.

After landing forward P.J. Hayes this week, another transfer portal addition is being predicted for Rutgers basketball: center Ugonna Onyenso.

A former four-star recruit, Onyenso committed to Kentucky as part of the 2022 recruiting class. Onyenso would certainly fill a need at Rutgers.

The 7-foot center played his high school basketball at Putnam Science Academy (Putnam, Connecticut). He is a member of the Nigerian national team.

In high school, he was ranked the No. 39 overall recruit in the nation by 247Sports.

Last year as a sophomore at Kentucky, Onyenso averaged 3.6 points and played 18.6 minutes per game. He is a strong rebounder (4.8 rebounds per game) and an elite shot blocker (2.8 blocks per game).

His skill set, including an emerging offensive game, would be a good fit at Rutgers.

 

College Basketball Report projected that Onyenso, ranked the No. 14 player in the transfer portal, will land at Rutgers:

Onyenso would join an incoming group at Rutgers that features two five-star recruits in the class of 2024. Forward [autotag]Ace Bailey[/autotag] (the top player in the nation by USA TODAY High School Sports) and guard [autotag]Dylan Harper[/autotag] are both five-star recruits and are part of a top-10 recruiting class for Rutgers.