Everything about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper is different than what Rutgers is used to except the way that they want to be coached.
Close friends Bailey and Harper — the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked recruits in the class of 2024 — sent shock waves through the college basketball landscape by spurning countless blue bloods to team up together at Rutgers .
The key to making it work is that Bailey and Harper — along with three other freshmen in Rutgers’ highest-ever-rated recruiting class — say they want to be coached hard.Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell speaks with Dylan Harper during the second half of their game against the St. John’s.“I don’t want any sugarcoating,” Bailey told The Post. “I don’t want anything handed to me nice. I want to work for it and earn it, and that’s what he’s making us do. I want it to be real and loyal.
One of Pikiell’s hidden gems was Ron Harper Jr., Dylan’s older brother and a star of the team that ended a 30-year NCAA Tournament drought in 2021.“I have it in the back of my mind to change the culture and the narrative and know you can win anywhere,” Dylan Harper said. “It doesn’t have to be all these schools. Me and Ace, coming in with the rest of our guys, we’re going to take the world by storm.”Rutgers guard Airious Bailey reacts after making a three point shot against St.
It won’t be easy for the teenagers to block out expectations when the audience for practices regularly includes NBA scouts and general managers — one of whom showed up for a week straight.St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. defends against Rutgers guard Dylan Harper during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena.“We aren’t worried about the outside noise,” Bailey said.
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