The recent NBA Draft has brought both excitement and regret to the Rutgers basketball program, serving as a stark reminder of a significant missed opportunity. Rutgers witnessed former Scarlet Knight stars, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, being selected second and fifth overall by the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz, respectively, during the 2025 NBA Draft. This achievement, while noteworthy, places Rutgers in a unique and unfortunate category in college basketball history.
With Harper and Bailey both being top-five picks, Rutgers University became the first, and likely the only, program in college basketball history to miss the NCAA Tournament while having two players drafted in the top five of the subsequent NBA Draft. This unprecedented situation highlights the challenges faced by the Scarlet Knights during the season, as they were eliminated from March Madness discussions by mid-January, ultimately finishing with a disappointing 15-17 record. Their season concluded with an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament.
Dylan Harper, the highest draft pick in Rutgers basketball history, exceeded expectations during his single season in Piscataway. He set a program record for points in a single season by a true freshman, scoring an impressive 564 points. Harper finished with the 20th-highest scoring average (19.4 points per game) among all Scarlet Knights in a single season. Across 29 appearances, despite battling illness and an ankle sprain, Harper maintained an impressive stat line: 19.4 points on 48.4% shooting, 4.6 rebounds, four assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game.
Ace Bailey, often seen as the draft's mystery man, showcased his elite shot-making prowess throughout a season filled with ups and downs. He averaged 17.6 points on 46% shooting, including standout performances like a 39-point game against Indiana and a 37-point showing against Northwestern. However, Bailey's season was not without its challenges; he struggled with defensive consistency and averaged just 1.3 assists despite taking 15 field goal attempts per game. Nevertheless, the Utah Jazz took a chance on him with the fifth pick, which not only marked a new beginning for Bailey but also solidified his alma mater's place in college basketball infamy.
As the dust settles on this historic NBA Draft night, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights face a long road ahead. The combination of elite talent and missed opportunities raises questions about the program's future and the direction under Coach Steve Pikiell. While the individual successes of Harper and Bailey are commendable, their draft selections serve as a bittersweet reminder of what could have been for a program striving for greatness.
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