With the country’s No. 3-ranked prospect Dylan Harper officially signing his National Letter of Intent on Saturday, Rutgers men’s basketball (15-14, 7-11) is poised to make a National Championship run next season. Harper will team up with fellow top-three prospect Ace Bailey next season, forming the Scarlet Knights’ best recruiting class in program history. Their 1972 class is the only one that comes close. That year, the program landed collegiate legends Phil Sellers and Mike Dabney, who both led its 1976 Final Four team.
Rutgers’ 2024 class currently ranks third on Rivals.com, only behind Duke and Kentucky. This is a testament to head coach Steve Pikiell’s tireless effort over the years. The Knights had the worst high-major basketball program in the nation when he took over in 2016. Since then, Rutgers has made two NCAA Tournament appearances, not including the COVID-shortened 2020 season that would have undoubtedly seen it make the Dance as well. The foundation is set, but one question remains: will the Knights stick the landing?
Harper and Bailey are prolific high school players
While that question is impossible to answer for the time being, the squad will certainly be in good hands. The majority of its current recruits are leading their teams deep into state postseason play. For starters, Harper showed why he’s New Jersey’s best player on Monday, leading Don Bosco Prep High School to a state playoff title win with a 38-point outburst. The homegrown talent will fittingly end his season at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena in the state final on Friday. It’ll cap off a prolific career for the senior, who’s a McDonald’s All-American and a Naismith National High School Player of the Year finalist.
Bailey has been just as impressive, as he also shares those two honors with Harper. The Georgia resident-led McEachern High School to a state semifinal victory on Friday, amassing 32 points and 15 rebounds. The 6’8 small forward will compete in the state final on Friday. Additionally, both he and Harper will play in the McDonald’s All-American game on April 2nd.
This is going to be fun. #TheKnighthood???? pic.twitter.com/hHHsEASOdp
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball ? (@RutgersMBB) March 2, 2024
Rutgers’ 2024 class has depth, not just star talent
Meanwhile, Illinois native Lathan Somerville registered 32 points, 11 boards, and three blocks in the state semifinal win for Richwoods High on Monday. The 6’10 center will play in the state final on Friday. The four-star prospect projects to be senior big man Cliff Omoruyi’s long-term replacement.
Finally, Massachusetts native Bryce Dortch recently played in the New England Prep School Championship for Brimmer and May High. The 6’8 small forward is a top-five state prospect and a top-150 recruit nationally, according to 24/7 Sports. Dortch rounds out the four Rutgers prospects who either will appear or have already played in their respective state finals. This big-game experience will make a difference at the next level for each of these players.
Rutgers already has a solid supporting cast
While the Knights currently sit just 12th in the Big Ten, the squad still has several pieces that could contribute to a deep postseason run. Although junior guard Jeremiah Williams has played in just nine games, he’s averaged 13 points and four rebounds on 45.5 percent shooting. The team immediately looked different when he started playing, as it won each of his first four games.
Sophomore guard Derek Simpson continues to provide useful minutes, leading the team with three assists a game. Conversely, freshman guard/forward Gavin Griffiths has struggled, scoring just 5.2 points a game on 31.8 percent shooting. However, the four-star recruit will have a full year under his belt, and will most likely get more open looks at the basket playing alongside Bailey and Harper.
Meanwhile, seniors Omoruyi and Mawot Mag each have another year of eligibility. However, they haven’t announced their plans for next year. Regardless, the Knights will have their deepest and most talented squad yet, and there’s no reason to doubt their March Madness viability heading into next season.
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Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay.
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